http://pewhispanic.org/factsheets/factsheet.php?FactsheetID=35
the above website looks at the immigration of latino's into america. howerver not just immigration but just the numbers and influence on the country as a whole, including projections of ilegal immigration.
http://www.alternet.org/election08/87266/
this website deals with Hilary Clinton, after her recent dissapointment being pipped by Obama, it talks about her future ambitions and about herself in general.
http://media.www.beaconnewspaper.com/media/storage/paper540/news/2002/04/09/Opinion/American.Consumerism.Knows.No.Bounds-232235.shtml
the website provided her talks in depth about American consumerism, dealing with advertising campaigns as well as statistics, the title of the page provides the theme for the whole document, "American Identity Knows no Bounds"
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Western Settlement:
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/stanford.htm
Leland Stanford originally from New York moved west to California where he became a successful businessman and set up California's Central Pacific railroad along with four other men.
His journey to the west was one of success.
This site is a short biography of his life and his success in the West.
Leland Stanford originally from New York moved west to California where he became a successful businessman and set up California's Central Pacific railroad along with four other men.
His journey to the west was one of success.
This site is a short biography of his life and his success in the West.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Consumerism in America
I came across the following site, which talks about how consumerism and marketing has ruined the true meaning behind holidays such as christmas, halloween, and valentines day. Instead of the meaning of being with your family and reuniting to celebrate the true meaning of christmas, it has changed in to a marketing scheme, where you are made to spend money to support the economy.
One of the main issues which this site covers is post 9/11- a tragic event which touched the hearts of every one in the world. However, the country seemed to pick it self up with in a matter of days after the attack. Suddenly t shirts were being printed, and bumper stickers were being printed to advertice september 11. The tragedy had turned in to a marketing scheme.
The idea of being wealthy and having everything, even if you don't really need it has swept so many young peoples aspirations. Instead of having aspirations to go in to something they really enjoy, their first initial thought is 'money.' I want to grow up and be ritch, own the coolest car and just have everything i will ever need in life. Life is now materialised.
Buying clothes is a big issue- spending up to $70 on a pair of jeans, for a piece of fabric. To fit in with the latest look costs money.
In today's society, it could be argued that money is what drives America to promote it's identity.
http://www.leland.k12.mi.us/spring04/wright04_1.html
One of the main issues which this site covers is post 9/11- a tragic event which touched the hearts of every one in the world. However, the country seemed to pick it self up with in a matter of days after the attack. Suddenly t shirts were being printed, and bumper stickers were being printed to advertice september 11. The tragedy had turned in to a marketing scheme.
The idea of being wealthy and having everything, even if you don't really need it has swept so many young peoples aspirations. Instead of having aspirations to go in to something they really enjoy, their first initial thought is 'money.' I want to grow up and be ritch, own the coolest car and just have everything i will ever need in life. Life is now materialised.
Buying clothes is a big issue- spending up to $70 on a pair of jeans, for a piece of fabric. To fit in with the latest look costs money.
In today's society, it could be argued that money is what drives America to promote it's identity.
http://www.leland.k12.mi.us/spring04/wright04_1.html
Feminism
I have also looked in to how the children's doll 'barbie' has been an icon of American identity for a while now. At first it started off as a 'blonde hair, blue eyed model figured doll'- who was an inspiration to all little girls of America. The doll soon became a popular toy, and expanded around the world and became a favourite toy for every girl in the world.
Under the role of Feminism- many appose the barbie doll as it symbolises a passive female stereotype and a concentration on female body image and glamour. The doll has been created to have the perfect body, perfect structure and perfect boobs.
On the other hand, she did symbolise how women can be independent, and was a symbol for women who wanted to live their lives as single and successful women. Ken did not come on the scene until 1961 - three years later. Barbie was rich, clever, independent and never married. She kept herself supported in a lifestyle that permitted much flexibility and freedom.
from a site i found, i quote: "you can now purchase many Barbies with different personalties, enactments and careers, including doctors, astronauts, presidential candidates (white and African American) and - it is rumoured - this year there will be a Dentist Barbie"
Such creations of different barbie dolls gives the impression that feminism is now dead due to its success in the possibilities and oppurtunities women of a America have in this day and age. Every little girl wants to be like barbie, and now that it comes in a variety of colours concerning race, different hair styles and job oppurtunities, it plays as the perfect role model for every little girl globaly.
Under the role of Feminism- many appose the barbie doll as it symbolises a passive female stereotype and a concentration on female body image and glamour. The doll has been created to have the perfect body, perfect structure and perfect boobs.
On the other hand, she did symbolise how women can be independent, and was a symbol for women who wanted to live their lives as single and successful women. Ken did not come on the scene until 1961 - three years later. Barbie was rich, clever, independent and never married. She kept herself supported in a lifestyle that permitted much flexibility and freedom.
from a site i found, i quote: "you can now purchase many Barbies with different personalties, enactments and careers, including doctors, astronauts, presidential candidates (white and African American) and - it is rumoured - this year there will be a Dentist Barbie"
Such creations of different barbie dolls gives the impression that feminism is now dead due to its success in the possibilities and oppurtunities women of a America have in this day and age. Every little girl wants to be like barbie, and now that it comes in a variety of colours concerning race, different hair styles and job oppurtunities, it plays as the perfect role model for every little girl globaly.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Contemporary America:
http://www.mtv.com/?source=CTY_UK
This website typifies America because MTV is an all American brand, it always plays mostly American artists; American reality shows and promotes American celebrity’s.
I think that MTV really brings the American culture to the rest of the world, and Americanizes today’s youth, who watch reality TV shows and often endeavor to be like their reality stars.
This website displays an abundance of the reality shows, such as, “My Super Suite 16” and American blockbuster movies such as, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, as well as American artists like, Miley Cyrus.
I think that this MTV website is very American, as it shows a lot of America’s contemporary culture, which is very much a celebrity society.
This website typifies America because MTV is an all American brand, it always plays mostly American artists; American reality shows and promotes American celebrity’s.
I think that MTV really brings the American culture to the rest of the world, and Americanizes today’s youth, who watch reality TV shows and often endeavor to be like their reality stars.
This website displays an abundance of the reality shows, such as, “My Super Suite 16” and American blockbuster movies such as, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, as well as American artists like, Miley Cyrus.
I think that this MTV website is very American, as it shows a lot of America’s contemporary culture, which is very much a celebrity society.
Crash Review
http://dustinputman.com/reviews/c/05_crash.htm
I decided to use this review of Crash, due to its "middle ground" nature. Rather then taking such a strong and opposing view as many reviews do, Dustin Putman delivers his review as one that recognizes Crash's faults yet still agrees it is an incredible film. Putman's opening paragraph states how the Directors edgy and candid shots creates a raw atmosphere, very appropriate for the film.
The review talks about all aspects of the film, from the acting, to the choice of actors, talking about whether it was a right choice or not. Putman goes on to say that using such high prolific actors didn't take any of the meaning away from the film itself, and every single one of the actors chosen gave a superb performance. He mentions Sandra Bullock first, declaring her performance a complete turn around from those we have previously seen her in and know her for. Her gritty performance of a woman who only starts to become racist after two black men (played by rapper Ludacris and Larenz Tate) hijack her car is miles apart from her performance in Miss Congeniality.
Putman finishes his review by declaring Crash to be "An unforgettable series of snapshots into a modern world that still breeds unavoidable prejudices toward anyone different from ourselves" which i think creates the perfect image of the film.
I decided to use this review of Crash, due to its "middle ground" nature. Rather then taking such a strong and opposing view as many reviews do, Dustin Putman delivers his review as one that recognizes Crash's faults yet still agrees it is an incredible film. Putman's opening paragraph states how the Directors edgy and candid shots creates a raw atmosphere, very appropriate for the film.
The review talks about all aspects of the film, from the acting, to the choice of actors, talking about whether it was a right choice or not. Putman goes on to say that using such high prolific actors didn't take any of the meaning away from the film itself, and every single one of the actors chosen gave a superb performance. He mentions Sandra Bullock first, declaring her performance a complete turn around from those we have previously seen her in and know her for. Her gritty performance of a woman who only starts to become racist after two black men (played by rapper Ludacris and Larenz Tate) hijack her car is miles apart from her performance in Miss Congeniality.
Putman finishes his review by declaring Crash to be "An unforgettable series of snapshots into a modern world that still breeds unavoidable prejudices toward anyone different from ourselves" which i think creates the perfect image of the film.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Frontier Mentality in the US:
http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=7030
This article is about settlers in central Texas and the natural resources it had to offer them. It talks about the abundance of resources available at the time of their settlement. It also talks about Texas landowners today still having the frontier mentality, enjoying America’s natural resources and doing what they can “invest in their land and build, rather then diminish, its habitat potential. They have the new frontier mentality of putting something back on the land, rather then the setter mentality of taking something away.”
It is about Americans appreciating their natural resources and their natural inhabitants.
This article is about settlers in central Texas and the natural resources it had to offer them. It talks about the abundance of resources available at the time of their settlement. It also talks about Texas landowners today still having the frontier mentality, enjoying America’s natural resources and doing what they can “invest in their land and build, rather then diminish, its habitat potential. They have the new frontier mentality of putting something back on the land, rather then the setter mentality of taking something away.”
It is about Americans appreciating their natural resources and their natural inhabitants.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Historical Images of the West:
This picture is a painting by William Ranney's Advice on the prairie. it depicts a group, which looks to be a family travelling to the West in a rounded wagon which are typical of Western movies. The scene is of the group of people taking a break during their journey. It is a classical historic picture of the movement to the west.
This photograph shows real cowboys, who were mostly blacks and mexicans, who didn't lead glamorous lives, saving the day, saving damsels in distress and starting bar brawls. In the picture the cowboys look solemn and seem to be taking a break from herding cattle also.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Consumerism in America
http://members.aol.com/mediatheory/www/consumerism.html
I found this website article which talks about consumerism and its effects in America. It speask about how the whole American culture is driven by consumerism. The American people in a sence are no longer their own, insted they are 'owned' by the clothes they wear, the food they eat and the things they choose to buy. The things they buy are very much prominent in their identity and saying who they as a person are. If they wear a nike top then they are clearly a sports person. Also, the idea is mentioned that wealth is the decideding factor in society. If you can afford to buy things then you do and people can see you being a consumer.
The article does mention however the difference between consumerism today and how it was in the 1950's;
Perhaps consumers of the 1950’s were passive and purchased everything that was advertised but consumers at the turn of the millennium are much more educated.
It speaks about how people are less likely to be drawn in by just simple adverts or seeing the products. Today the complanies have to make it more personal and show the consumer that they will have a form of individualism. This today is their main selling point.
With advertising in todays society it is not hard to get an advert out to a particular audience, as the article says:
there is at least one television in every home and one computer in approximately 60% of homes
There is no problem with getting your advert across to the American people. Maybe it is because of this that consumerism can travel so fast. However this cannot be just defined to America, the same is probably true of countries like Britain and European countries.
I found this website article which talks about consumerism and its effects in America. It speask about how the whole American culture is driven by consumerism. The American people in a sence are no longer their own, insted they are 'owned' by the clothes they wear, the food they eat and the things they choose to buy. The things they buy are very much prominent in their identity and saying who they as a person are. If they wear a nike top then they are clearly a sports person. Also, the idea is mentioned that wealth is the decideding factor in society. If you can afford to buy things then you do and people can see you being a consumer.
The article does mention however the difference between consumerism today and how it was in the 1950's;
Perhaps consumers of the 1950’s were passive and purchased everything that was advertised but consumers at the turn of the millennium are much more educated.
It speaks about how people are less likely to be drawn in by just simple adverts or seeing the products. Today the complanies have to make it more personal and show the consumer that they will have a form of individualism. This today is their main selling point.
With advertising in todays society it is not hard to get an advert out to a particular audience, as the article says:
there is at least one television in every home and one computer in approximately 60% of homes
There is no problem with getting your advert across to the American people. Maybe it is because of this that consumerism can travel so fast. However this cannot be just defined to America, the same is probably true of countries like Britain and European countries.
Crash review
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/film.nsf/reviews/crash
For my Crash review i have chosen to do this one which is writen by contact music.com. I think that this review brings out the important storylines of the film and makes some interesting comments. I particulary like the end quote:
"Crash" is not a film that will change the world or be permanently emblazoned on your mind. But it does get at the simple truths of racial discord in society in a way that is absorbing, intelligent, thought-provoking, and yet entirely accessible.
I found this really interesting because the reviewer in my opinion has completely understood the point of the film. In a sence realistically a film cannot change the world. yes it may have an effect on us and make us go home thinking deeply about how view the issues the film covers but normally within a couple of hours we've forgotton about what we've seen, just because of the hectic lifestyles which we live. I found this film really moving, just the way different peoples lives literally 'crash' into each other. It made me think more about how my actions can effect someone else and the consequences of my actions on other people.
The review picks up on one of the storylines which the review refures to as the more powerful storyline. This storyline featuring Matt Dillion is one which i think is prominante. It is one of those moment where you as the audience think that you have the character all worked out and then they go and do something which totally surprises you, and makes you rethink your opinion of them.
The film 'lays bare many social and psychological issues that generally get swept under the rug of the American consciousness. i think that this quote is really interesting and i'm not sure if i totally agree with it. i don't think America speep many psychological issues under the rug, i think that they haven't found a solution to these problems but theyaren't tried to be hidden away. I think this film does help though with highlighting the issues so people remember.
For my Crash review i have chosen to do this one which is writen by contact music.com. I think that this review brings out the important storylines of the film and makes some interesting comments. I particulary like the end quote:
"Crash" is not a film that will change the world or be permanently emblazoned on your mind. But it does get at the simple truths of racial discord in society in a way that is absorbing, intelligent, thought-provoking, and yet entirely accessible.
I found this really interesting because the reviewer in my opinion has completely understood the point of the film. In a sence realistically a film cannot change the world. yes it may have an effect on us and make us go home thinking deeply about how view the issues the film covers but normally within a couple of hours we've forgotton about what we've seen, just because of the hectic lifestyles which we live. I found this film really moving, just the way different peoples lives literally 'crash' into each other. It made me think more about how my actions can effect someone else and the consequences of my actions on other people.
The review picks up on one of the storylines which the review refures to as the more powerful storyline. This storyline featuring Matt Dillion is one which i think is prominante. It is one of those moment where you as the audience think that you have the character all worked out and then they go and do something which totally surprises you, and makes you rethink your opinion of them.
The film 'lays bare many social and psychological issues that generally get swept under the rug of the American consciousness. i think that this quote is really interesting and i'm not sure if i totally agree with it. i don't think America speep many psychological issues under the rug, i think that they haven't found a solution to these problems but theyaren't tried to be hidden away. I think this film does help though with highlighting the issues so people remember.
http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php
CONSUMERISM
The website I have chosen is entitled ‘An American self portrait’ which is a fitting title to what the author has done, which shows cleverly the shocking extent that Americans over consume by putting it into pictures of all the waste they produce such as the airlines figures of how many plastic and paper cups they go through every few hours. “Plastic Cups, 200860x90" Depicts one million plastic cups, the number used on airline flights in the US every six hours.”
Although this website doesn’t analyse and comment upon the issues that are problematical of consumerism I think that the pictures echo the problem in its own way that does not need any words, as the figures and the accompanying pictures makes it shocking for someone to visualise the full extent of how much waste they go through and consumerism particularly of SUV’s bought in 2004. The picture depicting this is quite astonishing “Valve Caps, 200610x25 feet in five vertical panels. Depicts 3.6 million tire valve caps, one for each new SUV sold in the US in 2004.”
I found this website very eye opening into realising just how bad and vast our consumerism can be when putting everyone’s contribution together. It really makes you question how much you consume yourself and its effect upon the environment particularly by looking at the picture of the plastic bottles that America goes through every five minutes (two million!).
The website I have chosen is entitled ‘An American self portrait’ which is a fitting title to what the author has done, which shows cleverly the shocking extent that Americans over consume by putting it into pictures of all the waste they produce such as the airlines figures of how many plastic and paper cups they go through every few hours. “Plastic Cups, 200860x90" Depicts one million plastic cups, the number used on airline flights in the US every six hours.”
Although this website doesn’t analyse and comment upon the issues that are problematical of consumerism I think that the pictures echo the problem in its own way that does not need any words, as the figures and the accompanying pictures makes it shocking for someone to visualise the full extent of how much waste they go through and consumerism particularly of SUV’s bought in 2004. The picture depicting this is quite astonishing “Valve Caps, 200610x25 feet in five vertical panels. Depicts 3.6 million tire valve caps, one for each new SUV sold in the US in 2004.”
I found this website very eye opening into realising just how bad and vast our consumerism can be when putting everyone’s contribution together. It really makes you question how much you consume yourself and its effect upon the environment particularly by looking at the picture of the plastic bottles that America goes through every five minutes (two million!).
http://www.cinemablend.com/reviews/Crash-972.html
The reason why I have chosen this website is because it is quite analytical in explaining the concept behind Crash, and how the irregular narrative line makes it an interesting film to watch. “The dialogue is blistering and full of weight as characters discuss heavy topics like race, poverty, and the American institution.”
He then goes on to describe what happens in the storyline, with his thoughts behind his experience watching the film in what he thought of it and its affect upon himself.
“It’s the sort of film you wish you could force everyone to see, it leaves you with the perhaps painfully naïve conviction that if only enough people saw it then the world might be a better place.”
This is quite a personally opinion on his behalf, which I don’t quite agree with, I find it hard to believe that a film like this can change someone’s opinions as the non linear narrative breaks down any emotional connection between the characters and the viewer only leaving them with the political and cultural topics that were raised within the film. The discontinuity of a linear narrative creates a distancing effect (Verfremdungseffekt), therefore I believe only raising awareness to these issues of racism and not provoking any emotional change to the viewers. If watching this film in his opinion could change people’s ideas and attitudes towards racism then we would have already seen a slight change to the world today, especially considering this film was critically acclaimed and won several Oscars upon the year of release.
I do however think that it is a good film to be made and try to produce this awareness of the issues that it raises as it reflects American culture and society today as I believe it is a country that is racially divided particularly with the negative attitude towards immigration both illegal and legal being an important topic upon Americans there today.
The reviewer gives an overall good critique of the film however doesn’t point out any negatives, such as it does give a broad range of characters but has the absence of any American Asian characters that also make up a big part of the American ethnic population. It would have been interesting to see a representation of this ethnic group as I'm sure that they face just as much discrimination as the black or hispanic character within the film.
He then goes on to describe what happens in the storyline, with his thoughts behind his experience watching the film in what he thought of it and its affect upon himself.
“It’s the sort of film you wish you could force everyone to see, it leaves you with the perhaps painfully naïve conviction that if only enough people saw it then the world might be a better place.”
This is quite a personally opinion on his behalf, which I don’t quite agree with, I find it hard to believe that a film like this can change someone’s opinions as the non linear narrative breaks down any emotional connection between the characters and the viewer only leaving them with the political and cultural topics that were raised within the film. The discontinuity of a linear narrative creates a distancing effect (Verfremdungseffekt), therefore I believe only raising awareness to these issues of racism and not provoking any emotional change to the viewers. If watching this film in his opinion could change people’s ideas and attitudes towards racism then we would have already seen a slight change to the world today, especially considering this film was critically acclaimed and won several Oscars upon the year of release.
I do however think that it is a good film to be made and try to produce this awareness of the issues that it raises as it reflects American culture and society today as I believe it is a country that is racially divided particularly with the negative attitude towards immigration both illegal and legal being an important topic upon Americans there today.
The reviewer gives an overall good critique of the film however doesn’t point out any negatives, such as it does give a broad range of characters but has the absence of any American Asian characters that also make up a big part of the American ethnic population. It would have been interesting to see a representation of this ethnic group as I'm sure that they face just as much discrimination as the black or hispanic character within the film.
McDonalds, gains more then just food for consumers:
http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/2006/05/mcdonalds_fashi.html
This web page really shoes the lengths some people will go to as a consumer of brand names in America. It shows that not only is the large and widely known fast food chain, McDonalds selling food, but it is also cashing in via a clothing line as well, this means that it can attract more then just fast food fans or addicts. It also shows the lengths some people will go to in order to follow the latest trends, and spend $56 on a t-shirt quoting a McDonalds line.
The website post also states the other trend in America right now, not that it's a brand, but the size-0 craze, which is also catered to with trends and brand jeans in the form of skinny jeans as well as other fashion trends seen on the catwalk, these type of images and body ideals are not good for young and influential young girls as well as boys.
However the poster does go on to say how she also disagrees with the new trend of McDonalds slogan t-shirts, "I just wonder how many of the twiglets buying these up in the teeny sizes actually appreciate the irony of advertising the worst kind of junk food? I'm with Papierblog on this one. It's all a bit too much for me!"
Another thing is if celebrities really were wearing these t-shirts, not only would they be promoting yet another trend, but advertising to their young fans greasy, fast food that is not healthy.
This web page really shoes the lengths some people will go to as a consumer of brand names in America. It shows that not only is the large and widely known fast food chain, McDonalds selling food, but it is also cashing in via a clothing line as well, this means that it can attract more then just fast food fans or addicts. It also shows the lengths some people will go to in order to follow the latest trends, and spend $56 on a t-shirt quoting a McDonalds line.
The website post also states the other trend in America right now, not that it's a brand, but the size-0 craze, which is also catered to with trends and brand jeans in the form of skinny jeans as well as other fashion trends seen on the catwalk, these type of images and body ideals are not good for young and influential young girls as well as boys.
However the poster does go on to say how she also disagrees with the new trend of McDonalds slogan t-shirts, "I just wonder how many of the twiglets buying these up in the teeny sizes actually appreciate the irony of advertising the worst kind of junk food? I'm with Papierblog on this one. It's all a bit too much for me!"
Another thing is if celebrities really were wearing these t-shirts, not only would they be promoting yet another trend, but advertising to their young fans greasy, fast food that is not healthy.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Crash review post on Tim's behalf
Film Review “Crash” – Paul Haggis
This review provides insight into the film, starting with an anecdote clearly intended for people who have seen the film “Crash” produced by a different director, as I have not it does not make much sense! But nevertheless the review provides a strong idea of what to expect from the film and is very positive about it.
http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/review.asp?ID=373
This review provides insight into the film, starting with an anecdote clearly intended for people who have seen the film “Crash” produced by a different director, as I have not it does not make much sense! But nevertheless the review provides a strong idea of what to expect from the film and is very positive about it.
http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/review.asp?ID=373
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Crash Review
http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/08/01/crash_2005_review.shtml
Reviewd by Andrew Jacobs, he says that the movie tackles racism, class and looking beyond appearances, it's anything but worthy or dull. Following several lives as they, yes, crash together during one day in LA, it's fuelled by powerhouse performances from an outstanding cast. Sandra Bullock is startling as a bitchy housewife, Don Cheadle brings beaten-down grace to the role of a weary detective and, as a racist cop, Matt Dillon's steely presence holds everything together.
He commented that the film was powerful, daring and deserves everyones attention
Reviewd by Andrew Jacobs, he says that the movie tackles racism, class and looking beyond appearances, it's anything but worthy or dull. Following several lives as they, yes, crash together during one day in LA, it's fuelled by powerhouse performances from an outstanding cast. Sandra Bullock is startling as a bitchy housewife, Don Cheadle brings beaten-down grace to the role of a weary detective and, as a racist cop, Matt Dillon's steely presence holds everything together.
He commented that the film was powerful, daring and deserves everyones attention
Feminism
Ellen DeGeneres has been listed as one of the most influental gay women of America.
Before finding success as an interviewer, Ellen starred in two TV sitcoms 'The Ellen Show' and 'Ellen'.
She has hosted the Oscars and Emmys, while 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' has won 15 Emmy Awards.
Ellen, who is dating former 'Ally McBeal' star Portia de Rossi, publicly 'came out' as a lesbian in 1997 in an appearance on the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' and has always been outspoken about her sexuality.
The 50-year-old star recently took a break from the comedy side of her series to give a tearful tribute to 15-year-old Lawrence King, who was shot and killed because he was gay.
"If any young kids are reading this - gay or not, those that are different, those that aren't stick-thin, those that aren't conventionally 'beautiful'. To them, we say - be yourselves! Be yourself and be brilliant! You can be successful just as you are."
Before finding success as an interviewer, Ellen starred in two TV sitcoms 'The Ellen Show' and 'Ellen'.
She has hosted the Oscars and Emmys, while 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' has won 15 Emmy Awards.
Ellen, who is dating former 'Ally McBeal' star Portia de Rossi, publicly 'came out' as a lesbian in 1997 in an appearance on the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' and has always been outspoken about her sexuality.
The 50-year-old star recently took a break from the comedy side of her series to give a tearful tribute to 15-year-old Lawrence King, who was shot and killed because he was gay.
"If any young kids are reading this - gay or not, those that are different, those that aren't stick-thin, those that aren't conventionally 'beautiful'. To them, we say - be yourselves! Be yourself and be brilliant! You can be successful just as you are."
Week 6- Review on Broke back Mountain
http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/12/16/brokeback_mountain_2005_review.shtml
Brokeback Mountain is an adaptation of a piece of writing from 1997 by Annie Proulx, which is the tale of two itinerant ranch-hands in the early 1960s, Ennis and Jack, who get a summer's work shepherding on Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming.
The Movie, broke back mountain portrays a true love story between a ranch hand and a rodeo cow boy. because their sexuality would have got them killed back in Wyoming, they kept their feelings for each other a secret. They go on to live miserable lives, married with children, yearning to experience the happy moment they encountered together. It portrays a true love story, in such a dangerous situation, where their love for one another would have been looked down on.
It is a glorious, revelatory experience, and safe from society's disapproval on that remote Arcadian spot they are at one with their own natures and with nature itself. And for the rest of their lives, unhappily married with children, meeting every few years as notional buddies for furtive "fishing trips", they yearn to recapture that brief shining moment of happiness and truth."
Brokeback Mountain is an adaptation of a piece of writing from 1997 by Annie Proulx, which is the tale of two itinerant ranch-hands in the early 1960s, Ennis and Jack, who get a summer's work shepherding on Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming.
The Movie, broke back mountain portrays a true love story between a ranch hand and a rodeo cow boy. because their sexuality would have got them killed back in Wyoming, they kept their feelings for each other a secret. They go on to live miserable lives, married with children, yearning to experience the happy moment they encountered together. It portrays a true love story, in such a dangerous situation, where their love for one another would have been looked down on.
It is a glorious, revelatory experience, and safe from society's disapproval on that remote Arcadian spot they are at one with their own natures and with nature itself. And for the rest of their lives, unhappily married with children, meeting every few years as notional buddies for furtive "fishing trips", they yearn to recapture that brief shining moment of happiness and truth."
Growing Latino Population
http://www.unh.edu/news/cj_nr/2008/jan/bp23latino.cfm
This website outlines the main problems and issues concerning the growth of the latino Population. It has been estimated that Seven states in the South and Southwest have at least 100,000 non-metro Latinos, accounting for 57 percent of the nation's non-metro Latino population: Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and California.
It has also been found that Compared to non-Hispanic whites and blacks, non-metro Latinos are proportionately younger (three in ten are under age 15), gave birth at higher rates (9.2 percent for Latinas compared to 5.5 percent for whites and 6.3 percent for blacks), and have lower levels of education. Latinos are also living in poverty, with an average family income of below $25,000. Latino women, a long with black women of America face job uncertainties, making life difficult for them.
The growth of the Latino population could cause problems in America, as many states may become over populated. Latino's make up a third of the population of America, making it a more diverse country, but many people feel that the hispanic race is flooding their country.
"The Latino population needs to be seen as a valuable resource for this country. U.S. institutions will increasingly be affected by and dependent on Latinos in the coming decades. For example, the business community will increasingly rely on Latinos as entrepreneurs, employees, investors, and consumers. The bilingual and bicultural nature of the Latino population also makes Latinos a valuable resource as the U.S. business community expands its consumer markets and business operations into Latin America."
This website outlines the main problems and issues concerning the growth of the latino Population. It has been estimated that Seven states in the South and Southwest have at least 100,000 non-metro Latinos, accounting for 57 percent of the nation's non-metro Latino population: Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and California.
It has also been found that Compared to non-Hispanic whites and blacks, non-metro Latinos are proportionately younger (three in ten are under age 15), gave birth at higher rates (9.2 percent for Latinas compared to 5.5 percent for whites and 6.3 percent for blacks), and have lower levels of education. Latinos are also living in poverty, with an average family income of below $25,000. Latino women, a long with black women of America face job uncertainties, making life difficult for them.
The growth of the Latino population could cause problems in America, as many states may become over populated. Latino's make up a third of the population of America, making it a more diverse country, but many people feel that the hispanic race is flooding their country.
"The Latino population needs to be seen as a valuable resource for this country. U.S. institutions will increasingly be affected by and dependent on Latinos in the coming decades. For example, the business community will increasingly rely on Latinos as entrepreneurs, employees, investors, and consumers. The bilingual and bicultural nature of the Latino population also makes Latinos a valuable resource as the U.S. business community expands its consumer markets and business operations into Latin America."
First person immigrant narrative
http://www.ilw.com/life/diary/Home.shtm
" What about the infants and children who are brought to the country by their parents. They did not come here on their own free will but of the will of their parents? I did not ask to come to this country -- my parents brought me here when I was less than two years old. I have never visited my birth country nor do I have any recollection of ever living there. Now I find out that the U.S., the place I consider home, doesn't consider me to be a citizen even though I attended local public schools, have worked since the age of 15, have always paid taxes, have a valid drivers license, established credit, bought two houses, and, yes, was even issued a voter's registration card and have been called for jury duty on a number of occasions. If I don't have a right to live here, where do I belong? "
This is a very personal account of a young adult, who was forced by his parents to immigrate to America. It sheds a negative light on America and it's issues with Immigration, as he faces alot of discrimination and racism. He doesn't feel like a citizen of America, even though he has been there for most his life, and has faced a series of problems to prove that he is infact an American citizen, since the age of two.
"On the other hand, I am treated and paid very well for my knowledge and skills because my employer considers me to be a U.S. citizen. This is a serious form of discrimination. You can be assured that I will compare future salary offers with salary offers in the past. Will there be a difference in salary offers as a result of my new immigration status being made public? I hope not, but I am a realist and expect that there will be a difference. "
" What about the infants and children who are brought to the country by their parents. They did not come here on their own free will but of the will of their parents? I did not ask to come to this country -- my parents brought me here when I was less than two years old. I have never visited my birth country nor do I have any recollection of ever living there. Now I find out that the U.S., the place I consider home, doesn't consider me to be a citizen even though I attended local public schools, have worked since the age of 15, have always paid taxes, have a valid drivers license, established credit, bought two houses, and, yes, was even issued a voter's registration card and have been called for jury duty on a number of occasions. If I don't have a right to live here, where do I belong? "
This is a very personal account of a young adult, who was forced by his parents to immigrate to America. It sheds a negative light on America and it's issues with Immigration, as he faces alot of discrimination and racism. He doesn't feel like a citizen of America, even though he has been there for most his life, and has faced a series of problems to prove that he is infact an American citizen, since the age of two.
"On the other hand, I am treated and paid very well for my knowledge and skills because my employer considers me to be a U.S. citizen. This is a serious form of discrimination. You can be assured that I will compare future salary offers with salary offers in the past. Will there be a difference in salary offers as a result of my new immigration status being made public? I hope not, but I am a realist and expect that there will be a difference. "
Controversial issues facing the West today
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-me-snowpack2-2008may02,0,3971476.story
California communities face a strong possibility of water shortages and even mandatory rationing this summer because of record dry weather in March and April, a fast-shrinking snowpack and below-normal reservoir levels, state officials said Thursday.The bleak news, contained in California's final Sierra snowpack report of the snow season, means a second consecutive year of water anxieties in a state heavily dependent on water from the melting snow in the Sierra Nevada.
Looking at the comments on this page, many people have blamed Immigrants on the shortage of water, as the population is growing, the water decreases. Residents are told to restrict their water usage, while at the same time the politicians are granting more and more building permits for apartments and huge housing tracts.
The water crisis in California has led to strict usage of water. Residents are asked to be careful with water, such as; "Turn off water when brushing teeth until you need it. Make sure you don't have any leaks in faucets/toilets/showers. Don't leave water running needlessly. To 'rinse' dishes before they go into what should be a FULL dishwasher, use a LITTLE water, put on dishes, scrub only to loosen, then put in to dishwasher and wash right away. Teach your children about water-consciousness and waste, so they'll have a respect for it.
With the threats of global warming, and warmer summers, the water problems in California face serious water situations in the future.
California communities face a strong possibility of water shortages and even mandatory rationing this summer because of record dry weather in March and April, a fast-shrinking snowpack and below-normal reservoir levels, state officials said Thursday.The bleak news, contained in California's final Sierra snowpack report of the snow season, means a second consecutive year of water anxieties in a state heavily dependent on water from the melting snow in the Sierra Nevada.
Looking at the comments on this page, many people have blamed Immigrants on the shortage of water, as the population is growing, the water decreases. Residents are told to restrict their water usage, while at the same time the politicians are granting more and more building permits for apartments and huge housing tracts.
The water crisis in California has led to strict usage of water. Residents are asked to be careful with water, such as; "Turn off water when brushing teeth until you need it. Make sure you don't have any leaks in faucets/toilets/showers. Don't leave water running needlessly. To 'rinse' dishes before they go into what should be a FULL dishwasher, use a LITTLE water, put on dishes, scrub only to loosen, then put in to dishwasher and wash right away. Teach your children about water-consciousness and waste, so they'll have a respect for it.
With the threats of global warming, and warmer summers, the water problems in California face serious water situations in the future.
Crash Review for the BBC by Andy Jacobs:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/08/01/crash_2005_review.shtml
Andy Jacobs believes that “Crash” is worthy of our time and something that people should view; it is one of the best films of 2005.
However he doesn’t believe it’s the best thing in the world, and calls the ending, “overwrought”, which I have to agree on, it does seem to go on a bit, the finally which is accompanied by a hit song like in the rest of the movies “self-important score”.
Andy Jacobs does also mention the important topics in which the film address, “racism, class and looking beyond appearances.”
“Why middle-class whites are afraid of working-class blacks, why being racist doesn’t necessarily mean inhuman, and how politics confuses the truth.”
He does also mention other critiques dislike of the film, and how they are not so keen on “its deliberately constructed modern parable.” This however makes it more relatable to an audience and there will always be people who do and don’t like any movie that comes out.
Andy Jacobs believes that “Crash” is worthy of our time and something that people should view; it is one of the best films of 2005.
However he doesn’t believe it’s the best thing in the world, and calls the ending, “overwrought”, which I have to agree on, it does seem to go on a bit, the finally which is accompanied by a hit song like in the rest of the movies “self-important score”.
Andy Jacobs does also mention the important topics in which the film address, “racism, class and looking beyond appearances.”
“Why middle-class whites are afraid of working-class blacks, why being racist doesn’t necessarily mean inhuman, and how politics confuses the truth.”
He does also mention other critiques dislike of the film, and how they are not so keen on “its deliberately constructed modern parable.” This however makes it more relatable to an audience and there will always be people who do and don’t like any movie that comes out.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Angelina Jolie
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.htm?tbl=NEWS&id=434e17b84
I believe one of the most powerful and influential women in America today is Angelina Jolie, who is best known for her acting career, however has taken a vital stand in political affairs following her humanitarian work in various developing world countries. Angelina Jolie has been involved in, including many different projects across the world visiting refugee camps across Africa, Afghanistan and many other countries across the world.
“Ms. Jolie, who has travelled extensively to more than 20 countries including Pakistan, Kosovo, Sudan and Chad to talk personally to refugees, said they deserved "every bit of our efforts."
Jolie has been acknowledged for her contribution to helping the underprivileged people in poorer countries in comparison to the United States by the UN who awarded her with the “2005 Global Humanitarian Action Award for her work with UNHCR and with refugees.” Despite her hard work three years ago she continues to work with these countries today and participates in many charitable organisations today, influencing her husband Brad Pitt to also participate in more recent televised charitable causes such as “Idol Gives Back” which promotes the suffering and injustice of people in Africa and in poorer parts of America too, calling for wealthy Americans to donate money on America’s most viewed prime time programme of American Idol. Brad Pitt has appeared twice on this annual run contest show where they have held a special feature for this show.
Jolie and Pitt also have been an aspiration to people across America and the world too as they have adopted most of their children Maddox, Pax, and Zahara, who come from different developing world countries. Their actions in adopting these children has consequently influenced other people to do the same thing such as Madonna who is currently trying to adopt Malawian born David Banda.
I think Jolie is quite an overlooked important person to the world today, as the media are more interested in less trivial things that Jolie does such as being spotted shopping, rather than what she does in these developing countries. I’m unsure whether the media doesn’t celebrate her efforts for equality to other nations because she is a woman and an actress doing something out of character. But the media certainly takes more pictures and publish stories in her personal life than focus on her important work in global affairs. Regardless I believe that she is a positive role model for females to aspire to because in or out of the limelight she is doing something that is truly remarkable and is certainly making a difference to the countries she works in, bringing media attention (if sparse) to those countries and a constant awareness that there is inequality and injustice in the world.
I believe one of the most powerful and influential women in America today is Angelina Jolie, who is best known for her acting career, however has taken a vital stand in political affairs following her humanitarian work in various developing world countries. Angelina Jolie has been involved in, including many different projects across the world visiting refugee camps across Africa, Afghanistan and many other countries across the world.
“Ms. Jolie, who has travelled extensively to more than 20 countries including Pakistan, Kosovo, Sudan and Chad to talk personally to refugees, said they deserved "every bit of our efforts."
Jolie has been acknowledged for her contribution to helping the underprivileged people in poorer countries in comparison to the United States by the UN who awarded her with the “2005 Global Humanitarian Action Award for her work with UNHCR and with refugees.” Despite her hard work three years ago she continues to work with these countries today and participates in many charitable organisations today, influencing her husband Brad Pitt to also participate in more recent televised charitable causes such as “Idol Gives Back” which promotes the suffering and injustice of people in Africa and in poorer parts of America too, calling for wealthy Americans to donate money on America’s most viewed prime time programme of American Idol. Brad Pitt has appeared twice on this annual run contest show where they have held a special feature for this show.
Jolie and Pitt also have been an aspiration to people across America and the world too as they have adopted most of their children Maddox, Pax, and Zahara, who come from different developing world countries. Their actions in adopting these children has consequently influenced other people to do the same thing such as Madonna who is currently trying to adopt Malawian born David Banda.
I think Jolie is quite an overlooked important person to the world today, as the media are more interested in less trivial things that Jolie does such as being spotted shopping, rather than what she does in these developing countries. I’m unsure whether the media doesn’t celebrate her efforts for equality to other nations because she is a woman and an actress doing something out of character. But the media certainly takes more pictures and publish stories in her personal life than focus on her important work in global affairs. Regardless I believe that she is a positive role model for females to aspire to because in or out of the limelight she is doing something that is truly remarkable and is certainly making a difference to the countries she works in, bringing media attention (if sparse) to those countries and a constant awareness that there is inequality and injustice in the world.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Feminism: An outlook on Courtney Love
http://breadandcircusnetwork.wordpress.com/2007/04/21/love-her-or-hate-her/
To use Courtney Love as a figure of Feminism creates controversy in itself. Many see her as just a 'gold digger', who used the name of her late husband to gain her more fame, money and respect. She achieved none of these things, especially when she declared her love for Steve Coogan. But, in her own right she has done a lot for women and how they are perceived. Her song lyrics promote a healthy body image, and an ironic hatred for women who are famous out of notoriety, not talent. Love and her band Hole penned a song entitled Celebrity Skin which includes the lyrics 'It's all so sugarless. Hooker/waitress/model/actress, oh, just go nameless. Honeysuckle, she's full of poison.' which does provide evidence to Love's viewpoint on how women should see themselves, and don't sell themselves short - a very strong feminine viewpoint.
The album Celebrity Skin came out in 1998, four years after the death of Love's husband, Kurt Cobain and contained lyrics which obviously show how hard that hit her. Love says, to this day, that her and Cobain were deeply in love despite the rumours surrounding the couples apparent divorce and even Love's involvement with Cobain's death. Love carried on her career for many years after his death and still made her own money. However, Love states that she deserves some of the royalties for any sales of material from Nirvana, due to her needing to look after the daughter herself and Cobain had, Francis Bean. This made sure her reputation take a nose dive, and many people who supported her for her strong feminist viewpoints deserted her, claiming to dislike how Love still wanted to make money from Nirvana even though she was quite capable of making her own. Even after the band parted, Love had a successful solo career, clouding that of other band member Melissa Auf der Maur. To this day, Love is locked in a battle with Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic because Love insisted on realising the entire Nirvana back catalogue, Cobain's diaries, Special Edition CDs, Greatest hits etc... This was frowned upon greatly by both Cobain's fans and Love's supporters, portraying her in a very bad light. She is one of the most hated women in rock, yet still one many admire.
In all, an unlikely candidate for 'second wave' feminists but one for sure. The article i found on Love talks about her lyrics, and how they were very different to how many other 90s female artists sang about. Love was a strong female rock star, in a girl band unseen and unheard of in the past, long before anyone knew who the Spice Girls were. She promoted the infamous "Girl Power" slogan throughout her entire working life, even her court cases could be seen as her fighting for what is right for her and her child.
Courtney Love: Love her or hate her, she's still influenced a lot of America more then they'll ever know, or admit too.
To use Courtney Love as a figure of Feminism creates controversy in itself. Many see her as just a 'gold digger', who used the name of her late husband to gain her more fame, money and respect. She achieved none of these things, especially when she declared her love for Steve Coogan. But, in her own right she has done a lot for women and how they are perceived. Her song lyrics promote a healthy body image, and an ironic hatred for women who are famous out of notoriety, not talent. Love and her band Hole penned a song entitled Celebrity Skin which includes the lyrics 'It's all so sugarless. Hooker/waitress/model/actress, oh, just go nameless. Honeysuckle, she's full of poison.' which does provide evidence to Love's viewpoint on how women should see themselves, and don't sell themselves short - a very strong feminine viewpoint.
The album Celebrity Skin came out in 1998, four years after the death of Love's husband, Kurt Cobain and contained lyrics which obviously show how hard that hit her. Love says, to this day, that her and Cobain were deeply in love despite the rumours surrounding the couples apparent divorce and even Love's involvement with Cobain's death. Love carried on her career for many years after his death and still made her own money. However, Love states that she deserves some of the royalties for any sales of material from Nirvana, due to her needing to look after the daughter herself and Cobain had, Francis Bean. This made sure her reputation take a nose dive, and many people who supported her for her strong feminist viewpoints deserted her, claiming to dislike how Love still wanted to make money from Nirvana even though she was quite capable of making her own. Even after the band parted, Love had a successful solo career, clouding that of other band member Melissa Auf der Maur. To this day, Love is locked in a battle with Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic because Love insisted on realising the entire Nirvana back catalogue, Cobain's diaries, Special Edition CDs, Greatest hits etc... This was frowned upon greatly by both Cobain's fans and Love's supporters, portraying her in a very bad light. She is one of the most hated women in rock, yet still one many admire.
In all, an unlikely candidate for 'second wave' feminists but one for sure. The article i found on Love talks about her lyrics, and how they were very different to how many other 90s female artists sang about. Love was a strong female rock star, in a girl band unseen and unheard of in the past, long before anyone knew who the Spice Girls were. She promoted the infamous "Girl Power" slogan throughout her entire working life, even her court cases could be seen as her fighting for what is right for her and her child.
Courtney Love: Love her or hate her, she's still influenced a lot of America more then they'll ever know, or admit too.
Feminist Week Blog On Oprah Winfrey:
http://www.howard.edu/commencement/2007/orator.htm
Oprah Winfrey is a very powerful lady, who has built herself an empire; she is now one of the richest ladies in the world as well as having good friends in high places. “Her accomplishments as a global media leader and philanthropist have established her as one of the most respected and admired public figures today.”
Oprah has used her celebrity status and the influence of the media to move herself up in the world and make a connection with the public.
Oprah is a great example to women of a woman in power and importance; she shows women of any race that they can make it if they try.
She also has her own charity, which donates money towards the empowerment of women, as well as other charities, such as education, which she feel sis very important and children’s charities.
“During a December 2000 visit with Nelson Mandela, Ms. Winfrey pledged US$10 million to build a school in South Africa. As that commitment broadened, she established The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation, to which she has contributed more than US$40 million toward the creation of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls - South Africa, which opened in January 2007.”
Oprah went from a poor living in rural Mississippi to being the richest African-American, with Emmy awards, academy award nominations and the reputation of being the worlds most influential women.
Oprah shows that feminism is not dead, especially when women like her are around still making themselves known in the world.
This article portrays Oprah as women of business and celerity, but it also portrays her in a good light and is very positive.
Oprah Winfrey is a very powerful lady, who has built herself an empire; she is now one of the richest ladies in the world as well as having good friends in high places. “Her accomplishments as a global media leader and philanthropist have established her as one of the most respected and admired public figures today.”
Oprah has used her celebrity status and the influence of the media to move herself up in the world and make a connection with the public.
Oprah is a great example to women of a woman in power and importance; she shows women of any race that they can make it if they try.
She also has her own charity, which donates money towards the empowerment of women, as well as other charities, such as education, which she feel sis very important and children’s charities.
“During a December 2000 visit with Nelson Mandela, Ms. Winfrey pledged US$10 million to build a school in South Africa. As that commitment broadened, she established The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation, to which she has contributed more than US$40 million toward the creation of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls - South Africa, which opened in January 2007.”
Oprah went from a poor living in rural Mississippi to being the richest African-American, with Emmy awards, academy award nominations and the reputation of being the worlds most influential women.
Oprah shows that feminism is not dead, especially when women like her are around still making themselves known in the world.
This article portrays Oprah as women of business and celerity, but it also portrays her in a good light and is very positive.
Ellen DeGeneres
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/feb/23/broadcasting.oscars2007
For this Blog entry i decided to ask my American housemate who in her opinion was a good female American figure, she thought for a few minutes and then came back with the reply; Ellen DeGeneres. I had no idea who this person was so googled her and came up with hundreds of pages on this one women. I discovered she is a stand-up comedian turned talk show host, who is a lesbien and also supports many charities. I found this article on the Gaurdian's website about how Ellen was going to host the oscars.
I find this article really interesting because it doesn't seem to be pro or against her. It trys to give the reader the facts. I particularly like the bit where it says; "People feel like they know her," I think this is a very true statement people do feel like they know celebrities, maybe it is because we see so much of them on TV and we feel like they are part of our lives. If we know them then they must know us.
Ellen DeGeneres comes across as someone who knows who she is and is not afraid to be who she is. For one reason she 'came out' about being gay and although the article speaks of how that did knock her slightly in her professional career, she is 'not one to give up'. She continues to fight. I think that this is something which you need if you are going to be in the public eye. You need to be strong and not let things 'knock' you down.
I asked my house mate why she chose Ellen DeGeneres; she told me that as an American she believes Ellen has had a huge effect on womens rights, although shes not publically campaigned shes shown the public that you can be who you are and be a women and stand up for what you believe in and still be adored by the masses. She also said that Ellen makes people laugh, she makes people feel good about themselves.
In this article I believe that Ellen comes across pretty well, her quote from when she hosted the Emmys I think is a good answer back to the terrorist consern of America. I believe that Ellen DeGeneres is a good Female Public figure for America, even her 'faults' are only tied to her perfectionist streak!
For this Blog entry i decided to ask my American housemate who in her opinion was a good female American figure, she thought for a few minutes and then came back with the reply; Ellen DeGeneres. I had no idea who this person was so googled her and came up with hundreds of pages on this one women. I discovered she is a stand-up comedian turned talk show host, who is a lesbien and also supports many charities. I found this article on the Gaurdian's website about how Ellen was going to host the oscars.
I find this article really interesting because it doesn't seem to be pro or against her. It trys to give the reader the facts. I particularly like the bit where it says; "People feel like they know her," I think this is a very true statement people do feel like they know celebrities, maybe it is because we see so much of them on TV and we feel like they are part of our lives. If we know them then they must know us.
Ellen DeGeneres comes across as someone who knows who she is and is not afraid to be who she is. For one reason she 'came out' about being gay and although the article speaks of how that did knock her slightly in her professional career, she is 'not one to give up'. She continues to fight. I think that this is something which you need if you are going to be in the public eye. You need to be strong and not let things 'knock' you down.
I asked my house mate why she chose Ellen DeGeneres; she told me that as an American she believes Ellen has had a huge effect on womens rights, although shes not publically campaigned shes shown the public that you can be who you are and be a women and stand up for what you believe in and still be adored by the masses. She also said that Ellen makes people laugh, she makes people feel good about themselves.
In this article I believe that Ellen comes across pretty well, her quote from when she hosted the Emmys I think is a good answer back to the terrorist consern of America. I believe that Ellen DeGeneres is a good Female Public figure for America, even her 'faults' are only tied to her perfectionist streak!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Illegal Immigration
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/tabor/041117
I found this article on Illegal Immagration and to be honest i was slightly discusted by it. It speaks of George Bush's "amnesty for illegal aliens" plans, and how Bush plans to encourage and give legal citizenship to illegal immigrants so they can begin building their lives. The writer of the article is Nathan Tabour, and American Political activist who is very anti these plans, and comes across as very un-politically correct. At one moment he says 'By God's grace, our society has succeeded in creating immense wealth where many others have created only poverty' he completely misses the point that it is because of country's like America's wealth that there are Third World country's. I found it interesting that he says 'By God's Grace' this is in some sence bordering on the Manifest Destiny idea and the American Dream, that in America life is better and that God is favouring America to be prosperous. He also comments on that if we keep letting Third World country people in then America will face the same problems as the Third World countries are facing. How then can America advertise itself as a place to come and rebuild your lives, and have a betterway of life? To me thats quite hypercritical. You can't advertise yourselves as a great country for people to come live in and then complain when people come.
Its also interesting that he practically blames all of America's problems on illegal immigrants, from the low minimum wage pay, to the terrorist attacks on september 11th; 'Certainly, most illegal aliens are not terrorists. But it only takes one.' His writing reminds me of the 'Gangs of New York' where the 'true' Americans were placing themselves on pedistools above the Irish, and European Immigrants; 'There are now over 10 MILLION illegal aliens in the U.S. Remove them, and opportunities will abound for authentic Americans', what does Nathan Tabor count as an authentic American? Even Immigrants children as long as they are born in America are considered American Citizens.
One final thing he mentions is the reason for immigration laws; 'We have immigration laws for simple and valid reasons: to protect our uniquely American culture, our national sovereignty, our public security, and our standard of living'. To me this shows why immigrants find it so hard settling into new lives in America, with people like Nathan Tabor around clearly trying to make sure that his 'uniquely American culture' is not damaged, how can people who maybe slightly different because of skin colour, or language ever hope to truely fit into this new modern day American society?
I found this article on Illegal Immagration and to be honest i was slightly discusted by it. It speaks of George Bush's "amnesty for illegal aliens" plans, and how Bush plans to encourage and give legal citizenship to illegal immigrants so they can begin building their lives. The writer of the article is Nathan Tabour, and American Political activist who is very anti these plans, and comes across as very un-politically correct. At one moment he says 'By God's grace, our society has succeeded in creating immense wealth where many others have created only poverty' he completely misses the point that it is because of country's like America's wealth that there are Third World country's. I found it interesting that he says 'By God's Grace' this is in some sence bordering on the Manifest Destiny idea and the American Dream, that in America life is better and that God is favouring America to be prosperous. He also comments on that if we keep letting Third World country people in then America will face the same problems as the Third World countries are facing. How then can America advertise itself as a place to come and rebuild your lives, and have a betterway of life? To me thats quite hypercritical. You can't advertise yourselves as a great country for people to come live in and then complain when people come.
Its also interesting that he practically blames all of America's problems on illegal immigrants, from the low minimum wage pay, to the terrorist attacks on september 11th; 'Certainly, most illegal aliens are not terrorists. But it only takes one.' His writing reminds me of the 'Gangs of New York' where the 'true' Americans were placing themselves on pedistools above the Irish, and European Immigrants; 'There are now over 10 MILLION illegal aliens in the U.S. Remove them, and opportunities will abound for authentic Americans', what does Nathan Tabor count as an authentic American? Even Immigrants children as long as they are born in America are considered American Citizens.
One final thing he mentions is the reason for immigration laws; 'We have immigration laws for simple and valid reasons: to protect our uniquely American culture, our national sovereignty, our public security, and our standard of living'. To me this shows why immigrants find it so hard settling into new lives in America, with people like Nathan Tabor around clearly trying to make sure that his 'uniquely American culture' is not damaged, how can people who maybe slightly different because of skin colour, or language ever hope to truely fit into this new modern day American society?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Illegal Immigration:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-26-moving_N.htm
This item is about illegal immigration and new laws against it, which is putting fear into illegal immigrants and causing them to leave, since the government wants them to leave this means that the laws are effective, however there is nothing against legal immigrants. “Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta says, says, "We don't want to chase immigrants away, just the illegal aliens who are causing many of the problem we are having."”
The departure of these illegal immigrants scared of losing everything they have and so going back to the countries they came from has been noticed in schools too. “About 60% of Kendall-Whittier Elementary School's 950 students are Hispanic, Principal Judy Feary says. Since an enrollment report Sept. 10, she says, 14 have left. Four more said last week that they would move.”
It appears that the harsh new laws against illegal immigration are working.
This item is about illegal immigration and new laws against it, which is putting fear into illegal immigrants and causing them to leave, since the government wants them to leave this means that the laws are effective, however there is nothing against legal immigrants. “Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta says, says, "We don't want to chase immigrants away, just the illegal aliens who are causing many of the problem we are having."”
The departure of these illegal immigrants scared of losing everything they have and so going back to the countries they came from has been noticed in schools too. “About 60% of Kendall-Whittier Elementary School's 950 students are Hispanic, Principal Judy Feary says. Since an enrollment report Sept. 10, she says, 14 have left. Four more said last week that they would move.”
It appears that the harsh new laws against illegal immigration are working.
Monday, April 21, 2008
First person immigrant narrative:
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/aug/08/commentary-tribune-intern-learns-about-immigration/
This narrative deals with stereotypes and misconceptions of immigrants because of their background and where they have come from. The writer, Adriana Gomez goes straight into how badly Mexicans are treated and disrespected by Americans when going into their country.
“"You should be ashamed of being a Mexican," a person I didn't really know said. "I know I would."
He didn't care to know anything about me. To him, I was just another murderer, kidnapper or drug dealer waiting for the right moment to take over his country.”
She also discusses how people have become ashamed of their background and try to forget their native tongue etc. to fit in with the American society and do not like being seen as anything other then American.
Adriana Gomez mentions the lack of knowledge about the Mexico and the misconceptions that some people have obtained, such as one person thinking it completely un-modernized. “An Albuquerquean once asked me if we had computers and Internet in Mexico. He was not trying to be offensive. He was really curious about it.” This piece shows the misunderstandings and labels of immigrants of the US, and shows what some of them must have gone through.
This narrative deals with stereotypes and misconceptions of immigrants because of their background and where they have come from. The writer, Adriana Gomez goes straight into how badly Mexicans are treated and disrespected by Americans when going into their country.
“"You should be ashamed of being a Mexican," a person I didn't really know said. "I know I would."
He didn't care to know anything about me. To him, I was just another murderer, kidnapper or drug dealer waiting for the right moment to take over his country.”
She also discusses how people have become ashamed of their background and try to forget their native tongue etc. to fit in with the American society and do not like being seen as anything other then American.
Adriana Gomez mentions the lack of knowledge about the Mexico and the misconceptions that some people have obtained, such as one person thinking it completely un-modernized. “An Albuquerquean once asked me if we had computers and Internet in Mexico. He was not trying to be offensive. He was really curious about it.” This piece shows the misunderstandings and labels of immigrants of the US, and shows what some of them must have gone through.
Review of "Brokeback Mountain":
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tm_objectid=16550380%26method=full%26siteid=94762%26headline=brokeback%2dmountain-name_page.html
This reviewer tries to draw the reader in by firstly dealing greatly with the celebrity status of the two main characters in the film ‘Brokeback Mountain’, before then going on to discuss the main point of the film, the controversy over gays. Not only does it start out with the mentioning of a celebrity, but it ends with one too. It isn’t that long a review, but it does give the reader a brief summary of the film, so they know what to expect and mentions that “it's already an Oscar favourite” By mentioning this the film is sure to get viewers, who choose their choice of viewings on the bases of Oscar and such like award ceremonies judgment. The reviewer does however have a good opinion of the film, describing it as, “an incredibly touching and genuinely moving film about yearning, unrequited love and growing old alone.” This review is clearly written for a newspaper meant for those who are into highly popular topics, such as well-known award shows and A-list celebrities.
This reviewer tries to draw the reader in by firstly dealing greatly with the celebrity status of the two main characters in the film ‘Brokeback Mountain’, before then going on to discuss the main point of the film, the controversy over gays. Not only does it start out with the mentioning of a celebrity, but it ends with one too. It isn’t that long a review, but it does give the reader a brief summary of the film, so they know what to expect and mentions that “it's already an Oscar favourite” By mentioning this the film is sure to get viewers, who choose their choice of viewings on the bases of Oscar and such like award ceremonies judgment. The reviewer does however have a good opinion of the film, describing it as, “an incredibly touching and genuinely moving film about yearning, unrequited love and growing old alone.” This review is clearly written for a newspaper meant for those who are into highly popular topics, such as well-known award shows and A-list celebrities.
Controversial issue facing the west today:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-delta21jul21,0,5934211.story?coll=la-news-comment-editorials
There is the issue of water rights in California, as the south of California wants to divert water from northern California to the south using a peripheral canal.
There also currently issues regarding water rights in states with low rainfall, such as, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. However this article deals with the water dispute in California.
The dispute are over who the canal shall benefit, as it will benefit the south, but perhaps not the north, and environmentalists who want to leave the delta alone to preserve it’s ecosystem.
“Jerry Brown ran into crushing opposition in 1982 when he backed a peripheral canal that would carry water around the delta to users in Southern California. Those users saw it as an extension of the system that greened their cities. Northern Californians, environmentalists and others saw it as a water grab. It was defeated at the polls by a 3-2 margin.” So now Californian’s have to decide what they want to do with their water and who the water should belong to. “Californians should surrender old hysterias and give a considered delta solution — perhaps one that incorporates a peripheral canal — a chance to emerge.”
There is the issue of water rights in California, as the south of California wants to divert water from northern California to the south using a peripheral canal.
There also currently issues regarding water rights in states with low rainfall, such as, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. However this article deals with the water dispute in California.
The dispute are over who the canal shall benefit, as it will benefit the south, but perhaps not the north, and environmentalists who want to leave the delta alone to preserve it’s ecosystem.
“Jerry Brown ran into crushing opposition in 1982 when he backed a peripheral canal that would carry water around the delta to users in Southern California. Those users saw it as an extension of the system that greened their cities. Northern Californians, environmentalists and others saw it as a water grab. It was defeated at the polls by a 3-2 margin.” So now Californian’s have to decide what they want to do with their water and who the water should belong to. “Californians should surrender old hysterias and give a considered delta solution — perhaps one that incorporates a peripheral canal — a chance to emerge.”
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Edward Steiner- Immigrant to America
http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/Past.html
This website is a selection of extracts from immagrants to America. I decided to look at the first extract (under H G Well's account of Ellis island) The account is writen by a Edward Steiner who was an Immigrant to America I did some background reading on him and descovered he was born into a German-speaking family from Bratislava . In the extract he speaks of watching a father and son approach the commissioner, They were from Russia, I looked to see if I could find out why lots of Jewish Russians were leaving Russia in 1881, to see where there was a push factor to their emmigration. As the exteract says: "Ask them why they came," the commissioner says rather abruptly. The answer is: "We had to." This interested me and I discovered that the reason they 'had to' leave was because of Pogrom, meaning that they were most likely being persecuted in their home country. This extract really opened my eyes, I was shoked to see that this father and son were split up and that the father after travelling all the way from Russia to America was going to be sent back, for no particular reason. This extract really expresses the emotion the son must have been feeling, he was 'ashamed to look his father in the face' . His father had in fact done an amazing thing, believeing that life generally would be better in America than it could ever possibly be back home, he Sacrificed his happiness and even maybe his life, if he was being persecuted back home, so that hopefully his son could better himself.
Its interesting that at the beginning of the extract Edward talks about an old couple who had been invited over by their children to live there, the children are ruled to be put under 'sufficient bond to guarantee that this aged couple shall not become a burden to the public'. These children have obviously sent for their parents because they want them there and want them to live with them. They don't want to be put in sufficient bonding, but they didn't have a choice, either except the ruling or be sent back to your country.
The Immigration process was much harsher than I thought it was. It is a subject which interests me and so I had a look at the Ellis Island website to see where there was anyone with my name who travelled to America. I discovered quite a few women called Rebecca Lewis who travelled to America all of different ages. There was one girl who was 21 just a year older than me, she was a Russian Hebrew, who had lived in London and sailed on the Saint Paul ship from Southampton to New York and arrived there on May 26 1912. I think its really interesting to be able to look up these records. Finally I was able to also look up Edward Steiner from my extract, he arrived in America on April 10 1894 on the Moravia Ship from Hamburg via Havre. Its interesting to be able to look up these people, even if it only gives us a few details about them.
This website is a selection of extracts from immagrants to America. I decided to look at the first extract (under H G Well's account of Ellis island) The account is writen by a Edward Steiner who was an Immigrant to America I did some background reading on him and descovered he was born into a German-speaking family from Bratislava . In the extract he speaks of watching a father and son approach the commissioner, They were from Russia, I looked to see if I could find out why lots of Jewish Russians were leaving Russia in 1881, to see where there was a push factor to their emmigration. As the exteract says: "Ask them why they came," the commissioner says rather abruptly. The answer is: "We had to." This interested me and I discovered that the reason they 'had to' leave was because of Pogrom, meaning that they were most likely being persecuted in their home country. This extract really opened my eyes, I was shoked to see that this father and son were split up and that the father after travelling all the way from Russia to America was going to be sent back, for no particular reason. This extract really expresses the emotion the son must have been feeling, he was 'ashamed to look his father in the face' . His father had in fact done an amazing thing, believeing that life generally would be better in America than it could ever possibly be back home, he Sacrificed his happiness and even maybe his life, if he was being persecuted back home, so that hopefully his son could better himself.
Its interesting that at the beginning of the extract Edward talks about an old couple who had been invited over by their children to live there, the children are ruled to be put under 'sufficient bond to guarantee that this aged couple shall not become a burden to the public'. These children have obviously sent for their parents because they want them there and want them to live with them. They don't want to be put in sufficient bonding, but they didn't have a choice, either except the ruling or be sent back to your country.
The Immigration process was much harsher than I thought it was. It is a subject which interests me and so I had a look at the Ellis Island website to see where there was anyone with my name who travelled to America. I discovered quite a few women called Rebecca Lewis who travelled to America all of different ages. There was one girl who was 21 just a year older than me, she was a Russian Hebrew, who had lived in London and sailed on the Saint Paul ship from Southampton to New York and arrived there on May 26 1912. I think its really interesting to be able to look up these records. Finally I was able to also look up Edward Steiner from my extract, he arrived in America on April 10 1894 on the Moravia Ship from Hamburg via Havre. Its interesting to be able to look up these people, even if it only gives us a few details about them.
Immigration: Stories of the Past
The website I have chosen is http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/Past.html and has many extracts of different first person narratives from people who travelled through Ellis Island. One extract I found interesting was the one at the end of the web page by "Endre Bohem, Hungarian, at Ellis Island in 1921, age 20". Although it is short, it is a good example to use of the terror that they were feelings when they came over and how oppressed some of them might have been from fleeing from their previous countries, which had very poor job opportunities and harsh living conditions. From looking at Endre's narrative, he expresses his fear when asked if he is ok, but lies and realises that he is safe in America. "Then sheepishly I said to the woman who had approached me before, "I lied to you, because of what I've been through in Hungary... I didn't realize I was free, I wasn't going to be put in prison." From this comment, it never occured to me how scared the immigrants must have felt leaving their country, fear of being arrested for being there.
Also, the website had many over extracts that are quite useful in getting a sense of what the atmosphere was like within Ellis Island as I had envisioned only people by themselves trying to get into America looking for jobs and then perhaps bringing the rest of their family over. However, this isn't the case as many people would get upon ships with their entire family and life packed up in bags. This however caused problems after the Quota Act came into place, which I found interesting as they then had to divide families up and had to send some of them back if they found them unsuitable to be there.
""Polish quota exhausted," pronounced the helpless inspector. Then they brought the case to me. Deport the baby? I couldn't. And somebody had to be quick, for the mother was not doing well under the idea that her baby would soon be taken from her and "transported far beyond the northern sea."
This must have been devastating for the families, for them to go all that way to America and then have some of them be turned away. It made me think how brave they must have been and how awful the living conditions must have been in their original countries for them to take such a big chance to make such a huge change within their lives.
Also, the website had many over extracts that are quite useful in getting a sense of what the atmosphere was like within Ellis Island as I had envisioned only people by themselves trying to get into America looking for jobs and then perhaps bringing the rest of their family over. However, this isn't the case as many people would get upon ships with their entire family and life packed up in bags. This however caused problems after the Quota Act came into place, which I found interesting as they then had to divide families up and had to send some of them back if they found them unsuitable to be there.
""Polish quota exhausted," pronounced the helpless inspector. Then they brought the case to me. Deport the baby? I couldn't. And somebody had to be quick, for the mother was not doing well under the idea that her baby would soon be taken from her and "transported far beyond the northern sea."
This must have been devastating for the families, for them to go all that way to America and then have some of them be turned away. It made me think how brave they must have been and how awful the living conditions must have been in their original countries for them to take such a big chance to make such a huge change within their lives.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
More on Brokeback Mountain
Excellent session today (week 6). Here's the Fight Club as Brokeback Mountain video as discussed. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=phcbqQu5Exk.
This raises in a different way some of the issues we talked about today - especially how the cultural construction of straight masculinity often encodes a homo-erotics. (Thinking of John Wayne and the classical Western.)
So, we might start from a sense of 'BBM' as a revisionist Western, adapting the tropes of the Western to encode a gay (or as we said, bisexual) love story.
...But we might also see BBM as making explicit a homo-erotics that was present, but implicit, in the Western all along. Demythologising and re-encoding.
'Love is a force of nature' - ie Ennis buys into the socially constructed roles of husband, father and breadwinner, but his 'real' feelings turn out to be elsewhere.
I look forward to your further comments...
This raises in a different way some of the issues we talked about today - especially how the cultural construction of straight masculinity often encodes a homo-erotics. (Thinking of John Wayne and the classical Western.)
So, we might start from a sense of 'BBM' as a revisionist Western, adapting the tropes of the Western to encode a gay (or as we said, bisexual) love story.
...But we might also see BBM as making explicit a homo-erotics that was present, but implicit, in the Western all along. Demythologising and re-encoding.
'Love is a force of nature' - ie Ennis buys into the socially constructed roles of husband, father and breadwinner, but his 'real' feelings turn out to be elsewhere.
I look forward to your further comments...
Review on Brokeback Mountain
http://www.indegayforum.org/news/show/30938.html
Instead of finding a more academic view on Brokeback Mountain, much like Becky and Christine, i wanted to find a review from a LGBT website which could address the issues faced in the film from a more personal perspective. A reviewer from the LGBT community isn't as quick to praise the film due to risk of offending anyone, so i believe them to give a more impartial point of view.
I found this review on a independent gay forum which gives a very academic take on Brokeback Mountain. It is known that a portion of the gay community thought Brokeback Mountain too heterosexual, and downplays the fact that it is a film about two men falling in love, but this review differs. The author, Dale Carpenter, says that "There's much to admire in this film. Ennis and Jack bust stereotypes of gay men. They aren't effeminate. When they meet, they are modern “cowboys” who live on profanity, fighting, country music, beer, and hard work for low pay. Yet their masculinity is also not the posed hyper-masculinity of leather, Levi, and uniform fetish scenes". Carpenter gives the impression that he has realised the film is a love story, albeit a rather contrived and reckless one, not just about 'Gay Cowboys'.
Carpenter also talks about the main protagonists shirking their responsibilities throughout the film. Right from the offset, the two men neglect their duties of looking after sheep to indulge in hedonistic pursuits and this continues for all of the film. The men regularly leave behind wives, families, jobs to go on 'fishing trips' causing catastrophic consequences - Ennis' divorce, Jack's death.
Ultimately, this review isn't gushing on about the bravery of Ang Lee to take on such a story, nor does it once mention how hard it must have been for the actors to fulfill gay roles because it is against their sexuality, it purely concentrates on the content and how two men have neglected all the had to pursue each other and their relationships. I believe this to be a much better way of looking at the film then focusing on its homosexual connotations.
On the other side, i have found this post from a Christian Website on their take on Brokeback Mountain. Coincidentaly, Brokeback Mountain was released around the same time as America was revising its laws on gay mariage. The topic, however already controversial, was inadvertantly helped by the films release.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/brokebackmountain.html
Instead of finding a more academic view on Brokeback Mountain, much like Becky and Christine, i wanted to find a review from a LGBT website which could address the issues faced in the film from a more personal perspective. A reviewer from the LGBT community isn't as quick to praise the film due to risk of offending anyone, so i believe them to give a more impartial point of view.
I found this review on a independent gay forum which gives a very academic take on Brokeback Mountain. It is known that a portion of the gay community thought Brokeback Mountain too heterosexual, and downplays the fact that it is a film about two men falling in love, but this review differs. The author, Dale Carpenter, says that "There's much to admire in this film. Ennis and Jack bust stereotypes of gay men. They aren't effeminate. When they meet, they are modern “cowboys” who live on profanity, fighting, country music, beer, and hard work for low pay. Yet their masculinity is also not the posed hyper-masculinity of leather, Levi, and uniform fetish scenes". Carpenter gives the impression that he has realised the film is a love story, albeit a rather contrived and reckless one, not just about 'Gay Cowboys'.
Carpenter also talks about the main protagonists shirking their responsibilities throughout the film. Right from the offset, the two men neglect their duties of looking after sheep to indulge in hedonistic pursuits and this continues for all of the film. The men regularly leave behind wives, families, jobs to go on 'fishing trips' causing catastrophic consequences - Ennis' divorce, Jack's death.
Ultimately, this review isn't gushing on about the bravery of Ang Lee to take on such a story, nor does it once mention how hard it must have been for the actors to fulfill gay roles because it is against their sexuality, it purely concentrates on the content and how two men have neglected all the had to pursue each other and their relationships. I believe this to be a much better way of looking at the film then focusing on its homosexual connotations.
On the other side, i have found this post from a Christian Website on their take on Brokeback Mountain. Coincidentaly, Brokeback Mountain was released around the same time as America was revising its laws on gay mariage. The topic, however already controversial, was inadvertantly helped by the films release.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/brokebackmountain.html
BBC Review on Brokeback Mountain
http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/12/16/brokeback_mountain_2005_review.shtml
I have selected this review of the film Brokeback Mountain because I think it is very insightful and analytical in how the writer has reviewed the film. It has an academic tone to the review by looking deeper into the director Ang Lee's intentions of what he tried to create cinematically with the long shots of the awe inspiring mountainous background within the film. "Poignantly offset by sweeping mountain vistas" which the reviewer notes that it reflects "the heartbreak and beauty of a tortured love affair and, without resorting to pat sentimentality."
This information within the review therefore is quite interesting and useful to people considering whether to view the film and get a more clearer sense behind a simple 'gay love story' that it has been belittled and regarded as. There is a more significant, moving theme to the film that tries to demyth the standard ideas of the myth and 'the cowboy hero' that is so often depicted within Western films.
The review also, gives the reader a historical background of when the film was set, therefore giving the reader more information to understand the taboo behind the gay scenes and the mindset of the character when they find out they are gay, and the characters themselves of the way they handle it saying they "aint no queer", showing her quick they are to defend and deny what they are because it is considered wrong at the time.
I think this review is useful and a good overall review of the film as the writer does not really give a biased, personal opinion but an overall review of the historical context of the film and the cinematic ideas behind the directing, thus explaining why the film will be good on a certain level because of it.
I have selected this review of the film Brokeback Mountain because I think it is very insightful and analytical in how the writer has reviewed the film. It has an academic tone to the review by looking deeper into the director Ang Lee's intentions of what he tried to create cinematically with the long shots of the awe inspiring mountainous background within the film. "Poignantly offset by sweeping mountain vistas" which the reviewer notes that it reflects "the heartbreak and beauty of a tortured love affair and, without resorting to pat sentimentality."
This information within the review therefore is quite interesting and useful to people considering whether to view the film and get a more clearer sense behind a simple 'gay love story' that it has been belittled and regarded as. There is a more significant, moving theme to the film that tries to demyth the standard ideas of the myth and 'the cowboy hero' that is so often depicted within Western films.
The review also, gives the reader a historical background of when the film was set, therefore giving the reader more information to understand the taboo behind the gay scenes and the mindset of the character when they find out they are gay, and the characters themselves of the way they handle it saying they "aint no queer", showing her quick they are to defend and deny what they are because it is considered wrong at the time.
I think this review is useful and a good overall review of the film as the writer does not really give a biased, personal opinion but an overall review of the historical context of the film and the cinematic ideas behind the directing, thus explaining why the film will be good on a certain level because of it.
Brokeback Mountain review from the Guardian
http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,1680094,00.html#article_continue
I found this review on Brokeback Mountain and thought it gave a good impression of the movie. It not only describes the story, and the background to the story but it does more than that, it goes deeper into the heart and issues of the story. I found when we watched the movie that not a lot happened and that it was pretty boring, half the film is in silence.The review picks up on this however it gives reason to the silence. To create a cowboys world there has to be every aspect of their lives and so that includes the silence and emptiness of their world. The review comments on the issues of homosexuality and how the film deals with those issues. I find it interesting that the review picked up on the fact that the word 'Love' is never actually used when Ennis and Jacks relationship is brought up. The question is whether Jack and Ennis actually love their wives. They may have feelings for them and care about them but if they in fact 'love' each other then how can they possibly love their wives in the same manner. The review talks about how the wives are destined to be baffled and hurt. I believe that this is true, i don't know myself whether Jack ever loved his wive. I do believe however that Ennis loved Alma his wife even if it was only before he got to Brokeback Mountain. As the review says Ennis is only doing the job to make enough cash to marry his sweetheart Alma. This shows his passion for her. I think that this story is actually a story about Ennis and what happens to him. You see a lot more of his life, in the end he is the one who is left when Jack is killed, you feel sorry for him cause all his life has added up to is a nasty old trailer and no proper job. The review 'Hits the nail on the head' when it says: 'their true selves become more poignantly inaccessible with each unsatisfactory holiday together', as the story continues insted of becoming more happy the guys become unhappy and fustrated with their situation. I love the last paragraph in this review. In amongst all the pain, unhappiness and difficulties the review gets to the core of the story. It shows us how one moment in our lives can change everything, how one moment everything can feel right and in that moment you're truely happy. Then the next minute that moment has passed, and your left with an empiness and left to pick up the pieces.
I found this review on Brokeback Mountain and thought it gave a good impression of the movie. It not only describes the story, and the background to the story but it does more than that, it goes deeper into the heart and issues of the story. I found when we watched the movie that not a lot happened and that it was pretty boring, half the film is in silence.The review picks up on this however it gives reason to the silence. To create a cowboys world there has to be every aspect of their lives and so that includes the silence and emptiness of their world. The review comments on the issues of homosexuality and how the film deals with those issues. I find it interesting that the review picked up on the fact that the word 'Love' is never actually used when Ennis and Jacks relationship is brought up. The question is whether Jack and Ennis actually love their wives. They may have feelings for them and care about them but if they in fact 'love' each other then how can they possibly love their wives in the same manner. The review talks about how the wives are destined to be baffled and hurt. I believe that this is true, i don't know myself whether Jack ever loved his wive. I do believe however that Ennis loved Alma his wife even if it was only before he got to Brokeback Mountain. As the review says Ennis is only doing the job to make enough cash to marry his sweetheart Alma. This shows his passion for her. I think that this story is actually a story about Ennis and what happens to him. You see a lot more of his life, in the end he is the one who is left when Jack is killed, you feel sorry for him cause all his life has added up to is a nasty old trailer and no proper job. The review 'Hits the nail on the head' when it says: 'their true selves become more poignantly inaccessible with each unsatisfactory holiday together', as the story continues insted of becoming more happy the guys become unhappy and fustrated with their situation. I love the last paragraph in this review. In amongst all the pain, unhappiness and difficulties the review gets to the core of the story. It shows us how one moment in our lives can change everything, how one moment everything can feel right and in that moment you're truely happy. Then the next minute that moment has passed, and your left with an empiness and left to pick up the pieces.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Greenhouse Effect on Water in American West in Mid 21st Century
http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/west-rain-scenario.html
The website that i have chosen focuses on how if the co2 emissions doesnt stop esculating then the greenhouse effect will destroy precious ecosystems in the West of the US.
"Serious water problems are projected for California and other western states by the year 2049 because of an increase in atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide" says scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
They are concerned that it will create more drought and an increase in flooding in places, particularly around California.
I think this website is very insightful, as it makes you more aware of the problems that the West have. Population is constantly increasing in particular places like California where they then have the demand for increase in housing, to which they are building on flood plains making them "exposed to natural hazards".
The website that i have chosen focuses on how if the co2 emissions doesnt stop esculating then the greenhouse effect will destroy precious ecosystems in the West of the US.
"Serious water problems are projected for California and other western states by the year 2049 because of an increase in atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide" says scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
They are concerned that it will create more drought and an increase in flooding in places, particularly around California.
I think this website is very insightful, as it makes you more aware of the problems that the West have. Population is constantly increasing in particular places like California where they then have the demand for increase in housing, to which they are building on flood plains making them "exposed to natural hazards".
Water Shortage
http://www.geosociety.org/news/pr/02-23.htm
This website page is talking about how some areas of Texas may have a water shortage in the next few years, this is because of the population growth in some areas of Texas that the Rio Grande which is relied on for drinking water is running low. Thers a been a drought in some areas of Texas for 10 years. i was really surprised by this, i knew that Texas was quite a dry state and that it didn't rain often there. i had no idea how serious the problem could be. This article talks about how one way to sort the water problem would be to use a water recharge process. i didn't know what this meant so i had to look up the definition:
'Artificial recharge occcurs when water is put into special basins or is directed into modified stream channels and allowed to sink into the ground. Artificial recharge also can take place when water is pumped directly in the aquifer through special wells.'
unfortuantly as my article says this process is not good for crop cultivation, which would be a problem in Texas because the people rely on the land so much. Having running clean fresh water is something which we take for granted in England. When i think of a county which has water shortage problems i would think of somewhere like Africa. it wouldn't cross my mind to think of states in America. i think because it's such a powerful country i would have thought they would have found a way to deal with water shortage problems along time ago.
This website page is talking about how some areas of Texas may have a water shortage in the next few years, this is because of the population growth in some areas of Texas that the Rio Grande which is relied on for drinking water is running low. Thers a been a drought in some areas of Texas for 10 years. i was really surprised by this, i knew that Texas was quite a dry state and that it didn't rain often there. i had no idea how serious the problem could be. This article talks about how one way to sort the water problem would be to use a water recharge process. i didn't know what this meant so i had to look up the definition:
'Artificial recharge occcurs when water is put into special basins or is directed into modified stream channels and allowed to sink into the ground. Artificial recharge also can take place when water is pumped directly in the aquifer through special wells.'
unfortuantly as my article says this process is not good for crop cultivation, which would be a problem in Texas because the people rely on the land so much. Having running clean fresh water is something which we take for granted in England. When i think of a county which has water shortage problems i would think of somewhere like Africa. it wouldn't cross my mind to think of states in America. i think because it's such a powerful country i would have thought they would have found a way to deal with water shortage problems along time ago.
Problems for the West
For the blog this week, i have decided to focus on the problem the west is having with the depletion of its water source.
The climate of the west is notoriously hot and dry, making farming almost impossible and living conditions in some places, unbearable.
If you look at Death Valley in California for instance, a place where some days no one is allowed near because it was too hot and quite dangerous. If you compare these to the luscious green states of the east, its quite a huge variable.
States like Nevada have a system where they have to import water in, and by having a state where the population is steadily growing this could prove a problem. The issue of who gets the most water is a very controversial one as no one wants to decide this issue.
I have found an article on the economics of water in the west, which i found very interesting as it is written by someone who's witnessed it themselves.
http://www.mises.org/story/1557
The climate of the west is notoriously hot and dry, making farming almost impossible and living conditions in some places, unbearable.
If you look at Death Valley in California for instance, a place where some days no one is allowed near because it was too hot and quite dangerous. If you compare these to the luscious green states of the east, its quite a huge variable.
States like Nevada have a system where they have to import water in, and by having a state where the population is steadily growing this could prove a problem. The issue of who gets the most water is a very controversial one as no one wants to decide this issue.
I have found an article on the economics of water in the west, which i found very interesting as it is written by someone who's witnessed it themselves.
http://www.mises.org/story/1557
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Review of the Range
Great distances, unforgiving spaces, vicious winters, searing summers and barren soil are characteristics of the violence of the Wyoming environment. These are the same ingredients that spawn the loneliness of its inhabitants. But to suggest that the ruthless environment is solely responsible for shaping her characters is a trite oversimplification of her concept of fate. Annie Proulx is so much more complex than that.
These qualities of violence and loneliness, however, are centerpieces of many of the stories. Her characters are drawn from bars, rodeos, ranches, and their stories draw upon the traditions and folk tales of Wyoming, the day-to-day details of ranch work, and their characteristic toughness and persistence in the face of adversity, set against the values of the new West.
Two of the stories, "The Blood Bay" and "The Half-Skinned Steer" leave you with the same reaction that O. Henry does. All leave you with profoundly differing emotions…from awareness of the hopelessness of uphill struggles to understandings of obsession, or the wrong types of love. Proulx's imagery is incredible, and she uses it not only to capture the essence of her characters but also to tie her stories together...
This web site gives an indepth review of Annie Proulx Close Range. It helps break down the book, giving you detail about why the book was written, what it is about, and what life was like living in Wyoming.
The reviw suggests that Most of the stories not only tie in together but also with her own emotions, commenting on how incredible her imagination is.
The huge empty landscape of Wyoming is a vivid presence in this book, the stage for great and small human tragedies. The stories are full of vivid, gritty details about contemporary western life;
These qualities of violence and loneliness, however, are centerpieces of many of the stories. Her characters are drawn from bars, rodeos, ranches, and their stories draw upon the traditions and folk tales of Wyoming, the day-to-day details of ranch work, and their characteristic toughness and persistence in the face of adversity, set against the values of the new West.
Two of the stories, "The Blood Bay" and "The Half-Skinned Steer" leave you with the same reaction that O. Henry does. All leave you with profoundly differing emotions…from awareness of the hopelessness of uphill struggles to understandings of obsession, or the wrong types of love. Proulx's imagery is incredible, and she uses it not only to capture the essence of her characters but also to tie her stories together...
This web site gives an indepth review of Annie Proulx Close Range. It helps break down the book, giving you detail about why the book was written, what it is about, and what life was like living in Wyoming.
The reviw suggests that Most of the stories not only tie in together but also with her own emotions, commenting on how incredible her imagination is.
The huge empty landscape of Wyoming is a vivid presence in this book, the stage for great and small human tragedies. The stories are full of vivid, gritty details about contemporary western life;
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Assessed Presentations in week 5
Next week (week 5) everyone will give an assessed presentation.
Topics as follows:
Becky: A critical comparison of the short story and the film of 'Brokeback Mountain'
Rachel: Close Range as Revisionist Western
Tim: Landscape as Determinant of Character and Narrative in Close Range
Christine, Hannah, Jess: tba.
Do remember that this is a formal assessment, so if you do not attend, without substantiated medical or other reason, you will automatically fail.
all best
JD
Topics as follows:
Becky: A critical comparison of the short story and the film of 'Brokeback Mountain'
Rachel: Close Range as Revisionist Western
Tim: Landscape as Determinant of Character and Narrative in Close Range
Christine, Hannah, Jess: tba.
Do remember that this is a formal assessment, so if you do not attend, without substantiated medical or other reason, you will automatically fail.
all best
JD
Be glad you don't have to live in Proulx's Wyoming
“Be glad you don't have to live in Proulx's Wyoming. Full of empty, philandering men with shady pasts and desperate women who have a habit of dying of unnatural causes. Every ranch is going under, every rancher is on the edge of going down with it. Proulx is like a rocking chair storyteller on a porch whose tales have to end with death or heartbreak or bleakness because this is what her audience expects of her. Rural legends, I'd call them. Proulx is a bit of a sad sack cynic, but she makes you want to be a part of it all. She calls up man's darker side and you know you could be that bull rider or bar girl with a wildness in the eye and a fatal urge to die...”
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Close-Range-Wyoming-Stories/dp/customer-reviews/1841150762/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&customer-reviews.start=1#customerReviews
This review gives a clear showing of the style used by Proulx. The reader obviously found the use of imagery fascinating and was encapsulated by Proulx’s understanding of Wyoming and the vastness of it. This reader seems to enjoy the harshness of the read, perhaps reminding him/herself of how life could be potentially worse?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Close-Range-Wyoming-Stories/dp/customer-reviews/1841150762/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&customer-reviews.start=1#customerReviews
This review gives a clear showing of the style used by Proulx. The reader obviously found the use of imagery fascinating and was encapsulated by Proulx’s understanding of Wyoming and the vastness of it. This reader seems to enjoy the harshness of the read, perhaps reminding him/herself of how life could be potentially worse?
Annie Proulx, Close Range book review.
http://www.theromancereader.com/proulx-range.html
The review I chose is quite a detailed review that analyses Annie Proulx's work in depth commenting on the style of her writing as "unrelentingly gritty, fashioned by a compassionate and exceptionally skilled observer." It is quite a personal review as the writer Thea Davis uses first person narrative to describe how she feels towards the book, " I understood: that each character's voice is truly hers; that she has an enormous amount to say; and that I would be greatly enriched by listening."
I think the review is quite informative as in the Thea Davis opens up her review to the descriptions of what the book is like and about followed by her own personal opinions of what she took and learnt from the book.
The review I chose is quite a detailed review that analyses Annie Proulx's work in depth commenting on the style of her writing as "unrelentingly gritty, fashioned by a compassionate and exceptionally skilled observer." It is quite a personal review as the writer Thea Davis uses first person narrative to describe how she feels towards the book, " I understood: that each character's voice is truly hers; that she has an enormous amount to say; and that I would be greatly enriched by listening."
I think the review is quite informative as in the Thea Davis opens up her review to the descriptions of what the book is like and about followed by her own personal opinions of what she took and learnt from the book.
Close Range book review
http://littlebirdreview.wordpress.com/2007/02/12/close-range-by-annie-proulx/
I found this book review on close range, its quite a personal review. i found it interesting to see that the writer of the review comments on how Annie Proulx took 3 novels to inpress this reader. I haven't read any of Proulx's other books so i can't comment but this review does make me want to go and read them. I like the honesty about this review that the writer only read the book for the Brokeback Mountain story and only after along time did they read the other stories. I think the reviewer has a very good way of describing Proulx's writing by describing it as ' a sence of eerie, dark humour' which i think is an excellent description. Although this review doesn't tell me much about the stories it does inform me of the other stories which the reviewer enjoyed. i think the reviewer uses a great quote, to be honest i didn't even notice the sentence the reviewer quoted when i read that story but it made me go back and have a look at it.
I found this book review on close range, its quite a personal review. i found it interesting to see that the writer of the review comments on how Annie Proulx took 3 novels to inpress this reader. I haven't read any of Proulx's other books so i can't comment but this review does make me want to go and read them. I like the honesty about this review that the writer only read the book for the Brokeback Mountain story and only after along time did they read the other stories. I think the reviewer has a very good way of describing Proulx's writing by describing it as ' a sence of eerie, dark humour' which i think is an excellent description. Although this review doesn't tell me much about the stories it does inform me of the other stories which the reviewer enjoyed. i think the reviewer uses a great quote, to be honest i didn't even notice the sentence the reviewer quoted when i read that story but it made me go back and have a look at it.
Annie Proulx's 'Close Range' Review:
I selected this article as it notes Annie Proulx’s strong view of a vicious lonely life of rustic living. It mentions her use of language, descriptions of Annie Proulx’s knowledge of the west is exposed all through her stories.
The reviewer, Jim Carvalho also makes good use of quotes from the stories throughout his evaluation of ‘Close Range’.
Jim Carvalho in this article is keen on the stories and believes that the prizes Annie Proulx won for them were well deserved.
Review of Close Range by Annie Proulx
http://www.nytimes.com/books/99/05/23/reviews/990523.23ederlt.html
I chose this review from the New York times purely for its sub-title. It makes it quite obvious how Proulx's book has decided to destroy the stereotype created about the "wild west". Using segments from the book entwined with the actual review shows the audience exactly what is meant by the point.
Richard Eder ends his review with a quote from on the grittiest stories in Close Range. The quote is really poignant and a very good way to sum up what the book is about.
Rachel
I chose this review from the New York times purely for its sub-title. It makes it quite obvious how Proulx's book has decided to destroy the stereotype created about the "wild west". Using segments from the book entwined with the actual review shows the audience exactly what is meant by the point.
Richard Eder ends his review with a quote from on the grittiest stories in Close Range. The quote is really poignant and a very good way to sum up what the book is about.
Rachel
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Letter from Estella Stilgebouer to Ella Roesch, August 3, 1911
I chose this article of a letter sent between Estella and addressed mainly to her sister and the rest of her family, as it gives quite a descriptive account of what life was like living out West in the early 20th Century. Times were still hard to get through in the middle of the U.S where there were scarce rainfall, as described in the letter that because of the shortage of rainfall some of their crops were failing.
There are many descriptions within her letter of the town shes living in with a church having been built there as it is mentioned, which makes it quite interesting in drawing a picture of what life was like in the mid West around a hundred years ago.
There are many descriptions within her letter of the town shes living in with a church having been built there as it is mentioned, which makes it quite interesting in drawing a picture of what life was like in the mid West around a hundred years ago.
Letter from Short Straitgate to Mattie V. Thomas, March 27, 1862
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ps:@field(DOCID+l002)
I found this letter written to Mattie V Thomas from Miss Mattie, i found it really interesting to read. I was surprised that the things 'Miss Mattie' talks about are quite normal everyday life things, like baking and being ill. Life seems to go on just as normal to these 'settlers'. They seem to have set up a good life for themselves and seeing as they are writting to each other then communication between the settlers and the old towns must be pretty good. I found it interesting that Mattie was sending her wool and hair to use, i presume that mattie must be a trader of some sort. At the end of the letter you get the idea that Miss Mattie misses the person she is writing to dearly because she comments on how she wished he was there that morning. I didn't think before about how familys may have been split up with people moving and settling west. i presume it wasn't always the whole family that moved. I think this letter is very interesting to read and gives an insite into what life was like for these new settlers.
I found this letter written to Mattie V Thomas from Miss Mattie, i found it really interesting to read. I was surprised that the things 'Miss Mattie' talks about are quite normal everyday life things, like baking and being ill. Life seems to go on just as normal to these 'settlers'. They seem to have set up a good life for themselves and seeing as they are writting to each other then communication between the settlers and the old towns must be pretty good. I found it interesting that Mattie was sending her wool and hair to use, i presume that mattie must be a trader of some sort. At the end of the letter you get the idea that Miss Mattie misses the person she is writing to dearly because she comments on how she wished he was there that morning. I didn't think before about how familys may have been split up with people moving and settling west. i presume it wasn't always the whole family that moved. I think this letter is very interesting to read and gives an insite into what life was like for these new settlers.
Priarie Settlement and California as i saw it
First Person account of the Priarie settlement:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/nbhihtml/pshome.html
This link provides letters and photographs of the Uriah W. Oblinger family which help illustrate the story of settlement on the great plains. The Oblinger family letters discuss land, work, neighbours, crops, religious meetings, problems with grasshoppers, financial problems, and the Easter Blizzard of 1873. They also present some personal insight in to the joy and struggle of establishing a home in the Prairie.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ps:@field(DOCID+l003) Here is an example of a letter sent from John Verity to Mattie V. Thomas, August 29, 1862.
California as i saw it:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cbhtml/
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/nbhihtml/pshome.html
This link provides letters and photographs of the Uriah W. Oblinger family which help illustrate the story of settlement on the great plains. The Oblinger family letters discuss land, work, neighbours, crops, religious meetings, problems with grasshoppers, financial problems, and the Easter Blizzard of 1873. They also present some personal insight in to the joy and struggle of establishing a home in the Prairie.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ps:@field(DOCID+l003) Here is an example of a letter sent from John Verity to Mattie V. Thomas, August 29, 1862.
California as i saw it:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cbhtml/
Map Observations
The Map shows the growth of communications in the States. In 1850, the only way to commute was to travel through the rivers such as the Mississippi river which was one of the main navigable rivers to get to the west. There were also major Western trails, such as the Platte Trail and the Santa Fe Trail.
By the 1860's, small rail lines were constructed in the East, only transporting people east of the mississippi river. It wasn;t until the 1900's that transcontinental railways were constructed, connecting the east to the west. This allowed America to slowly grow towards the west.
Map three shows the territorial growth of America. America started off with 13 states, whicih clung to the atlantic coast, In 1783, due to the revolutionary war, Britain cedes all land east of the mississippi river. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson purchased Louissiana from France. This helped double the size the nation.
By 1819, Spain held the land to the west and south. Florida was ceaded to the United States.
By the 1830's texas became an independent state....
Map 4 shows us that the west had many areas with less than 8 inches of rainfall annually- suggesting the wests lack of water. Most of the chief navigable rivers only run to the midwest of the nation.
Map 5 shows us that by 1750, eastern America was well settled. It shows us that as you move through to the west, many areas only had a population density of less than 2 percent per squaremile. Map 6 also shows us that east of the mississippi river, the population was high , with over 45 people per square mile living in the east. A maximum of 18 per square mile were living in the west, but the majority of the west was populated with a population of 2 per square mile.
By the 1860's, small rail lines were constructed in the East, only transporting people east of the mississippi river. It wasn;t until the 1900's that transcontinental railways were constructed, connecting the east to the west. This allowed America to slowly grow towards the west.
Map three shows the territorial growth of America. America started off with 13 states, whicih clung to the atlantic coast, In 1783, due to the revolutionary war, Britain cedes all land east of the mississippi river. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson purchased Louissiana from France. This helped double the size the nation.
By 1819, Spain held the land to the west and south. Florida was ceaded to the United States.
By the 1830's texas became an independent state....
Map 4 shows us that the west had many areas with less than 8 inches of rainfall annually- suggesting the wests lack of water. Most of the chief navigable rivers only run to the midwest of the nation.
Map 5 shows us that by 1750, eastern America was well settled. It shows us that as you move through to the west, many areas only had a population density of less than 2 percent per squaremile. Map 6 also shows us that east of the mississippi river, the population was high , with over 45 people per square mile living in the east. A maximum of 18 per square mile were living in the west, but the majority of the west was populated with a population of 2 per square mile.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
One painting, one photo of the west
http://www.maxdstandley.com/giclees/i/the_trail_of_tears.jpg
the above painting is a painting of the trail of tears, as the Native Americans were relocated to other lands, the frontier continued to push them further and further west.
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/photos-oldwest/JudgeRoyBean-500.jpg
a photo of a much romanticised west, cowboys sitting around on the porch of a bar. the typical image of an old western culture.
the above painting is a painting of the trail of tears, as the Native Americans were relocated to other lands, the frontier continued to push them further and further west.
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/photos-oldwest/JudgeRoyBean-500.jpg
a photo of a much romanticised west, cowboys sitting around on the porch of a bar. the typical image of an old western culture.
the frontier mentality in modern USA
The article i have chosen to look at for this weeks blog is a small essay which discusses situations that the frontier set in motion. In particular it mentions how the mentality of going down to basics when the going gets tough and building up civilization after that. So instilling a work ethic that is still inherent in todays America. The article mentions the melting pot of culture in America today, which can be easily acredited to the building up of a "new" America as the frontier moved west.
http://www.cyberessays.com/History/158.htm
http://www.cyberessays.com/History/158.htm
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Week 3: First person account of Western Settlement
http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/WestCounty/MV-SW/Pre-1900/Washburn2-EarlySettlers.html
I have chosen to concentrate on the above website due to the content found. Historian Deanna Ammans came across these letters to the first edition of Skagit News in 1884. Skagit county is located in Washington, and so named after the Native American Indian tribe that settled there. The letters give us an insight to an account of the very first white woman to be seen in Skagit County and also of the Washburn Families accounts of what went on.
I think these are very interesting to read as it certainly delves into what happened during the late 1800s when talking about settling.
Rachel.
I have chosen to concentrate on the above website due to the content found. Historian Deanna Ammans came across these letters to the first edition of Skagit News in 1884. Skagit county is located in Washington, and so named after the Native American Indian tribe that settled there. The letters give us an insight to an account of the very first white woman to be seen in Skagit County and also of the Washburn Families accounts of what went on.
I think these are very interesting to read as it certainly delves into what happened during the late 1800s when talking about settling.
Rachel.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Contributing
The topics for your weekly contributions are set either in the AM1212 module handbook, or in the weekly handouts. Please make sure you keep up to date. If you don't you may fail the assessment, and our small group meetings will be disabled.
So, looking forward to seeing your postings on settler's narratives.
So, looking forward to seeing your postings on settler's narratives.
Friday, February 8, 2008
2008
begins here. Please make your posts on the topics indicated in the weekly schedule. We meet at....
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Week 11- Crash
Crash is a film about ethnic identities, and how every race is subjected to racism.
The film follows the lives of tweleve main characters, who are show in pairs, over the course of two days in Los Angeles. The two police officers, one who is openly racist (Matt Dillion), pulls over a couple who are driving because of thier behaviour, and frisks the women (Thandie Newton) while her husband (Terrence Dashon) stands by helpless. The other police officer ( Ryan Phillippe) thinks that he toehr poilce officer is out of order, but cannot do anything to stop it. however, despite audeince preconcived ideas about these two police officers, we later find out that they are wrong, which can be seen when Dillion character saves Newton's character the next day, while Phillippe's character shots a young black man after a misconception that he was going to shot him.
Two of the other characters, two young black men who steal cars, are also subjected to changes of behaviour. one of them happens to be the man which is shot by the police office, can be seen as the more repremanded of the two, and can be seen as one who follows the others comands. we also find out that his brother is a police office as well. the otehr character (Ludacris) is seen as the more openly angry character, and blames society for his criminal ways. however, in one of the vans which he steals, he finds a group of Asia immigrants, when he is offered money for them, he sets them free, suggesting that he knows right form wrong.
the film deals with issues of prejudice and shows how people judge people because of what they have seen in the media. such is the case when the major and his wife (Sandra Bullock) are carjacked, by the two young black men above, and the wife order the locks be changed. when she sees it is a latino, she orders they be changed again, as she feels he will give a copy of the key to gang memember and rob the house.
i enjoyed this film, and felt it highlighted images which have been discussed in recent weeks of the modules, espeically in connection with week 8's readings and lecture.
The film follows the lives of tweleve main characters, who are show in pairs, over the course of two days in Los Angeles. The two police officers, one who is openly racist (Matt Dillion), pulls over a couple who are driving because of thier behaviour, and frisks the women (Thandie Newton) while her husband (Terrence Dashon) stands by helpless. The other police officer ( Ryan Phillippe) thinks that he toehr poilce officer is out of order, but cannot do anything to stop it. however, despite audeince preconcived ideas about these two police officers, we later find out that they are wrong, which can be seen when Dillion character saves Newton's character the next day, while Phillippe's character shots a young black man after a misconception that he was going to shot him.
Two of the other characters, two young black men who steal cars, are also subjected to changes of behaviour. one of them happens to be the man which is shot by the police office, can be seen as the more repremanded of the two, and can be seen as one who follows the others comands. we also find out that his brother is a police office as well. the otehr character (Ludacris) is seen as the more openly angry character, and blames society for his criminal ways. however, in one of the vans which he steals, he finds a group of Asia immigrants, when he is offered money for them, he sets them free, suggesting that he knows right form wrong.
the film deals with issues of prejudice and shows how people judge people because of what they have seen in the media. such is the case when the major and his wife (Sandra Bullock) are carjacked, by the two young black men above, and the wife order the locks be changed. when she sees it is a latino, she orders they be changed again, as she feels he will give a copy of the key to gang memember and rob the house.
i enjoyed this film, and felt it highlighted images which have been discussed in recent weeks of the modules, espeically in connection with week 8's readings and lecture.
Week 10- G.I. Joe Action Figures
for this weeks blog task, i have chosen to look at G.I. Joe dolls. I think G.I. Joe dolls are quite unique, as they are aimed at boys, and dolls are considered "girls toys". These dolls use images of gender to market their products. The products which can be bought include the dolls or "action figures" themselves, as well as accessories for the action figures to enhance the childs game.
G.I. Joe's are considered the boy's toy version of Barbie. However, the difference between the two is quite significant. While the Barbie's show images of women as carer's and career women, G.I. Joe's depict images of war and violence. The different images protrayed suggest different gender roles and suggest that girls and boys should act differently.
The G.I. Joe dolls also encourage violence, as some of the accessories include guns.
http://www.hasbro.com/gijoe/default.cfm?page=toys
G.I. Joe's are considered the boy's toy version of Barbie. However, the difference between the two is quite significant. While the Barbie's show images of women as carer's and career women, G.I. Joe's depict images of war and violence. The different images protrayed suggest different gender roles and suggest that girls and boys should act differently.
The G.I. Joe dolls also encourage violence, as some of the accessories include guns.
http://www.hasbro.com/gijoe/default.cfm?page=toys
Sunday, May 27, 2007
CRASH
Crash is a film that follows the lives of a variety of ethnic characters over a 24 hour period whose stories intertwine and “crash” into one another. Director Paul Haggis connects their lives through luck, coincidence and violence. The characters from a variety of backgrounds and social classes speak their minds and don’t hold back on voicing their views and acting upon their prejudice views of other people.
I found this film very thought provoking as no character is all bad or purely good the actions and reactions of each characters in turn influence later reactions in the other characters. Roger Ebert believes that Crash “ presumes that most people feel prejudice and resentment against members of other groups, and observes the consequences of these feelings.” I believe that Haggis is in fact not presuming that most people feel resentment but that with immigration continuously on the rise that this resentment is continuously growing and becoming more of a problem in today’s society.
I feel by Crash portraying seemingly bad characters as good people it shows a true representation of human nature that nobody is truly good or bad. It also allows you as a viewer to empathise with why people can feel resentment towards different people.
I am not saying that by watching Crash it is going to make you a better person but it may make you question your own beliefs and opinions.
I found this film very thought provoking as no character is all bad or purely good the actions and reactions of each characters in turn influence later reactions in the other characters. Roger Ebert believes that Crash “ presumes that most people feel prejudice and resentment against members of other groups, and observes the consequences of these feelings.” I believe that Haggis is in fact not presuming that most people feel resentment but that with immigration continuously on the rise that this resentment is continuously growing and becoming more of a problem in today’s society.
I feel by Crash portraying seemingly bad characters as good people it shows a true representation of human nature that nobody is truly good or bad. It also allows you as a viewer to empathise with why people can feel resentment towards different people.
I am not saying that by watching Crash it is going to make you a better person but it may make you question your own beliefs and opinions.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Week 12 - Anti-Americanism and society
For the final blog, I chose to look at views of Anti-Americanism and how these have affected society. I thought it would be interesting to adapt views on Fight Club to this issue, as the book can be seen as a form of Anti-Americanism in itself.
Anti-Americanism is very much an issue that affects the USA today, as there are always people who want to adapt their own views to that of their country, and often these views are not supported, leading to a hatred of their country. Then there are those who believe that the country has distanced itself so far from the founding traditions and morals that it is no longer the country it claims to be.
Images of Anti-Americanism often dominate politics and society, and they are often used as propaganda against the present leadership at how far they have changed the country to something people believe it shouldn't be. One example of this would be the war in Iraq, where many people believe that this was a mistake after the actions taken.
Fight Club is a good example of Anti-Americanism, as it can be seen as a method of people venting their frustration at their own life, and often society, and finding a way to take it out. The need for something to entice their boring everyday lives has now grown to the point that Fight Clubs have actually begun forming around the country. This is strange as the whole concept of Fight Club was that it wasn't a real entity. However, this does show how desperate some people have become in that sense.
The notion of a 'Fight Club' allows people to vent their frustration at their lives and indeed in some cases their country, showing the unrest that still lies in a country that supposedly offers 'every opportunity' to its public. It will be interesting to see whether issues such as these develop to a more high-scale, high-publicity level, and whether this will create unrest.
Ed
http://www.trfc.tv/menu.html
Anti-Americanism is very much an issue that affects the USA today, as there are always people who want to adapt their own views to that of their country, and often these views are not supported, leading to a hatred of their country. Then there are those who believe that the country has distanced itself so far from the founding traditions and morals that it is no longer the country it claims to be.
Images of Anti-Americanism often dominate politics and society, and they are often used as propaganda against the present leadership at how far they have changed the country to something people believe it shouldn't be. One example of this would be the war in Iraq, where many people believe that this was a mistake after the actions taken.
Fight Club is a good example of Anti-Americanism, as it can be seen as a method of people venting their frustration at their own life, and often society, and finding a way to take it out. The need for something to entice their boring everyday lives has now grown to the point that Fight Clubs have actually begun forming around the country. This is strange as the whole concept of Fight Club was that it wasn't a real entity. However, this does show how desperate some people have become in that sense.
The notion of a 'Fight Club' allows people to vent their frustration at their lives and indeed in some cases their country, showing the unrest that still lies in a country that supposedly offers 'every opportunity' to its public. It will be interesting to see whether issues such as these develop to a more high-scale, high-publicity level, and whether this will create unrest.
Ed
http://www.trfc.tv/menu.html
Week 11 - Crash
For this weeks blog task a review of the movie 'Crash' had to be published. The movie, which won 3 Oscars, was critically acclaimed by many movie critics, but on the contrary there were also some negative reviews, with people believing the movie to be just another film about the things wrong with certain areas of the USA, in this case L.A.
The movie focuses around supposed everyday occurences in Los Angeles, and how people find their lives intersecting with one another and how events that unfold affect each individual's life in unexpected ways.
The film has an obvious task in addressing the situation regarding racism in the United States. This is shown by not only the two black actors and their roles in the film, as gangsters, but also by how the ways of American society has warped one cop's views of what is right and wrong. The movie works well in showing how people go from one extreme to another in their everyday lives. Evidence of this is shown through many characters. The issue of trust in one addressed in every storyline in the movie. Perhaps the most prominent ones are that of the Senator's wife, played by Sandra Bullock, where after one event such as a car-jacking at gunpoint, her trust in all people who are not white and American is strained severely, shown through her mistrust of the Latino man who fixes her house door. The same man is shown mistrust due to race again, albeit with previous circumstances affecting the shop owner's judgement, but this issue is looked at closely throughout the whole movie, and seems to present the notions that many people may believe, but are too afraid to say themselves.
It is easy to see where the film attracts criticism, with overemphasis at times on certain issues, such as race, and how it can be seen to be 'just another PC movie'. However, where this movie shines is through its ability to present very relevant issues through not necessarily extreme views, but views that need to be expressed in order for people to take notice that these things do actually happen today.
Ed
http://www.nycfilmcritic.com/display_film.php?id=161
http://www.filmfocus.co.uk/review.asp?ReviewID=314
The movie focuses around supposed everyday occurences in Los Angeles, and how people find their lives intersecting with one another and how events that unfold affect each individual's life in unexpected ways.
The film has an obvious task in addressing the situation regarding racism in the United States. This is shown by not only the two black actors and their roles in the film, as gangsters, but also by how the ways of American society has warped one cop's views of what is right and wrong. The movie works well in showing how people go from one extreme to another in their everyday lives. Evidence of this is shown through many characters. The issue of trust in one addressed in every storyline in the movie. Perhaps the most prominent ones are that of the Senator's wife, played by Sandra Bullock, where after one event such as a car-jacking at gunpoint, her trust in all people who are not white and American is strained severely, shown through her mistrust of the Latino man who fixes her house door. The same man is shown mistrust due to race again, albeit with previous circumstances affecting the shop owner's judgement, but this issue is looked at closely throughout the whole movie, and seems to present the notions that many people may believe, but are too afraid to say themselves.
It is easy to see where the film attracts criticism, with overemphasis at times on certain issues, such as race, and how it can be seen to be 'just another PC movie'. However, where this movie shines is through its ability to present very relevant issues through not necessarily extreme views, but views that need to be expressed in order for people to take notice that these things do actually happen today.
Ed
http://www.nycfilmcritic.com/display_film.php?id=161
http://www.filmfocus.co.uk/review.asp?ReviewID=314
Week 10 - Consumer Culture and Identity in the USA
For this weeks blog I chose to look consumerism in the United States and how it creates an identity within the mainstream American market. A good example of this is the marketing of the "Barbie" doll product, and how this has adapted to commercialism and also political correctness. Barbie was released before any such issues were as prominent in the public eye as they are today. However, like most products, it has had to develop with "the times" and make sure every issue is addressed correctly.
The website I found looks at how Barbie has developed from the supermodel look to, as of May 1st 2000, 'Presidential Barbie'. The original blone haired, blue eyed Barbie doll is a rare commodity nowadays. Since its release, the 'Barbie' brand has issued dolls with varying hair colour, then different race, and now, along with the ever increasing issue of equal rights for women, a Presidential Barbie, which could perhaps be more of a ploy for Hilary Clinton's Presidential campaign than some might think.
Over the years Barbie has come to echo how society has adapted to political correctness, and in turn tried to plug itself to all areas of society. An example could be the issue of Ken, who was included in order to present a family image, trying to show perhaps the perfect image of American life.
Ed
http://www.alternet.org/story/9064/
The website I found looks at how Barbie has developed from the supermodel look to, as of May 1st 2000, 'Presidential Barbie'. The original blone haired, blue eyed Barbie doll is a rare commodity nowadays. Since its release, the 'Barbie' brand has issued dolls with varying hair colour, then different race, and now, along with the ever increasing issue of equal rights for women, a Presidential Barbie, which could perhaps be more of a ploy for Hilary Clinton's Presidential campaign than some might think.
Over the years Barbie has come to echo how society has adapted to political correctness, and in turn tried to plug itself to all areas of society. An example could be the issue of Ken, who was included in order to present a family image, trying to show perhaps the perfect image of American life.
Ed
http://www.alternet.org/story/9064/
Review of "Crash"
“Crash” Directed by Paul Haggis”
“Crash” is a film of many layers, layers which we the audience see link and eventually come together. It starts and ends within a twenty four hour time period and follows twelve characters as they live their lives in Los Angeles. “Crash” focuses in on racism without any reservations or apologises and projects it as an issue which is not only a factor in these people’s lives but is the factor. From all angles we see what it is like to be a victim and to be the one who is indeed the racist. The way in which writer and director Paul Haggis plays the game of film making makes the viewers and critics not only understand but almost empathise with why these people are being racist.
But as citizens from a modern society we must ask ourselves if that is right? Should we be doing that? Surely any racism is wrong? Haggis raises these questions throughout his film but I am just not entirely sure is he ever actually answered them. The situations he put the characters in are verging beyond unbelievable which doesn’t exactly help with his desperate plea for realism.
By the end of film you are left with a rather strange taste in your mouth - one in which you just can't quite recognise. We are faced with confusion about whether Haggis ever intended his film to be about racism or if it is merely by pure chance.
I am sure that we will never really know which is sad as I guess we will never truly understand this film.
“Crash” is a film of many layers, layers which we the audience see link and eventually come together. It starts and ends within a twenty four hour time period and follows twelve characters as they live their lives in Los Angeles. “Crash” focuses in on racism without any reservations or apologises and projects it as an issue which is not only a factor in these people’s lives but is the factor. From all angles we see what it is like to be a victim and to be the one who is indeed the racist. The way in which writer and director Paul Haggis plays the game of film making makes the viewers and critics not only understand but almost empathise with why these people are being racist.
But as citizens from a modern society we must ask ourselves if that is right? Should we be doing that? Surely any racism is wrong? Haggis raises these questions throughout his film but I am just not entirely sure is he ever actually answered them. The situations he put the characters in are verging beyond unbelievable which doesn’t exactly help with his desperate plea for realism.
By the end of film you are left with a rather strange taste in your mouth - one in which you just can't quite recognise. We are faced with confusion about whether Haggis ever intended his film to be about racism or if it is merely by pure chance.
I am sure that we will never really know which is sad as I guess we will never truly understand this film.
Week 8 - Multi-Cultural America
For this weeks task I found an article on the website www.salon.com, and a contrasting view on the same article from the FOXnews website. The subject from the articles received high publicity due to the person in question being a Republican Presidential candidate in the upcoming 2008 US Presidential Election. The article received such publicity as Tommy Thompson, the man in question, caused social uproar by suggesting that a business could fire somebody for being gay. This was immediately addressed by equal rights campaigners, and I thought this article was interesting as it showed problems regarding such sensitive issues at high business levels.
Both articles mention the fact that Thompson retracted his comments as soon after the event as he could, blaming technicalities and misunderstanding of context for his comments. Both articles detail how Thompson used the ever-lovable phrase "I didn't fully understand the question", and both seem to be in favour of a retraction and apparent bemusal at why the comment was said in the first place.
FOXnews, a website with a heavy political theme, noted that the gaffe was sure to have an effect of Thompson's running in the 2008 campaign, but was unlikely to generate much furore with the general public, as many do not know he is running.
I found this article interesting because it shows the topic at hand is still very much an important political and social issue. I hope you find it interesting also.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2007/05/04/thompson/index.html?source=rss
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,271896,00.html
Both articles mention the fact that Thompson retracted his comments as soon after the event as he could, blaming technicalities and misunderstanding of context for his comments. Both articles detail how Thompson used the ever-lovable phrase "I didn't fully understand the question", and both seem to be in favour of a retraction and apparent bemusal at why the comment was said in the first place.
FOXnews, a website with a heavy political theme, noted that the gaffe was sure to have an effect of Thompson's running in the 2008 campaign, but was unlikely to generate much furore with the general public, as many do not know he is running.
I found this article interesting because it shows the topic at hand is still very much an important political and social issue. I hope you find it interesting also.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2007/05/04/thompson/index.html?source=rss
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,271896,00.html
Monday, May 21, 2007
Helen on Barack Obama
Senator Barack Obama (Illinois)
Barack Hussein Obama was born on August 4th 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the Senator for Illinois and according to the U.S. Senate Historical Office, he is the fifth African American Senator in U.S. history. Also he is the only African American currently serving in the U.S. Senate. He was elected in November 2004 with a landslide 70% of the vote.
In February 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for the 2008 Presidential Election Race. Recent polls of Democratic voters show him narrowing the gap with front runner Senator Hilary Clinton and media sources have called him "the first black person viewed as a possible winner." In campaign appearances, Obama has emphasized ending the Iraq War and implementing universal health care as leading issues. He also believes America needs to act now on reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.
If I were a voting citizen in America I would vote for him. I think he has powerful views and has a more realistic approach to what America has to do when it comes to the Iraq War and global warming.
Here is the link to his website, just in case you want to see more; http://obama.senate.gov/
Helen
Barack Hussein Obama was born on August 4th 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the Senator for Illinois and according to the U.S. Senate Historical Office, he is the fifth African American Senator in U.S. history. Also he is the only African American currently serving in the U.S. Senate. He was elected in November 2004 with a landslide 70% of the vote.
In February 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for the 2008 Presidential Election Race. Recent polls of Democratic voters show him narrowing the gap with front runner Senator Hilary Clinton and media sources have called him "the first black person viewed as a possible winner." In campaign appearances, Obama has emphasized ending the Iraq War and implementing universal health care as leading issues. He also believes America needs to act now on reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.
If I were a voting citizen in America I would vote for him. I think he has powerful views and has a more realistic approach to what America has to do when it comes to the Iraq War and global warming.
Here is the link to his website, just in case you want to see more; http://obama.senate.gov/
Helen
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Week 9 - 2008 Presidential Candidates
For this week's blog I chose to look at one of the most interesting, in my opinion, Presidential candidates for 2008. There has already been much publicity surrounding the upcoming 2008 elections, not least for some of the characters involved. The front runners have been grouped under various headings according to their individuality. For example, it has been noted that for this election there are some very different characters. There is a candidate of Mormon religion, but perhaps more interesting is the fact that the race has become much more open that now a woman and a black man are now serious contenders for the Presidency.
I chose to look at Barack Obama's campaign to become the next American President. I found it interesting that Obama has gained considerable interest for his campaign, and the possibility of a first black American President is a real likelihood. Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, and graduated from Columbia University in 1983. Obama then moved to Chicago to persue more community based activities, particularly involving the church (which would become a major factor in his Presidency campaign). Even though he experienced success at this level, Obama realised that in order to make a real impact on the community he would need to influence proceedings on a national scale. He therefore chose to persue a law degree at Harvard University, and graduated in 1991. There he became the first African-American President of the Harvard Law Review. After his experiences, he chose to run for Illinois State Senate, where he served for 8 years, which eventually led him to his current position as candidate.
Obama has numerous policies as he looks to influence the American public's vote. He is fighting to strengthen American force overseas, create a healthcare system that works, meet America's energy needs and improve schools amongst other policies. Perhaps one of the most important and relevant ideas at this present time is his stance to end the war in Iraq. President Bush has been publically criticised over this issue numerous times, and Obama obviously hopes that the majority believe ending the war would be the best choice.
I think Obama is looking to introduce a lot of policies that would please the American public, but time and votes will tell whether his apparent inexperience in this field will lead him to fall to stronger opposition.
I chose to look at Barack Obama's campaign to become the next American President. I found it interesting that Obama has gained considerable interest for his campaign, and the possibility of a first black American President is a real likelihood. Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, and graduated from Columbia University in 1983. Obama then moved to Chicago to persue more community based activities, particularly involving the church (which would become a major factor in his Presidency campaign). Even though he experienced success at this level, Obama realised that in order to make a real impact on the community he would need to influence proceedings on a national scale. He therefore chose to persue a law degree at Harvard University, and graduated in 1991. There he became the first African-American President of the Harvard Law Review. After his experiences, he chose to run for Illinois State Senate, where he served for 8 years, which eventually led him to his current position as candidate.
Obama has numerous policies as he looks to influence the American public's vote. He is fighting to strengthen American force overseas, create a healthcare system that works, meet America's energy needs and improve schools amongst other policies. Perhaps one of the most important and relevant ideas at this present time is his stance to end the war in Iraq. President Bush has been publically criticised over this issue numerous times, and Obama obviously hopes that the majority believe ending the war would be the best choice.
I think Obama is looking to introduce a lot of policies that would please the American public, but time and votes will tell whether his apparent inexperience in this field will lead him to fall to stronger opposition.
Week 9 - Senator Joe Biden
The polital figure I chose to research was Senator Joe Biden who represents Delaware, he is the longest serving Senator. Delaware is a Democratic state. I mainly saught information from his own site http://biden.senate.gov/. This site is very good for details on his life and his polital beliefs and aims.
Biden, one of four children was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He and his family then moved to Delaware when he was 10. He later went on to graduate from Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware and, in 1965, from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. He then attended Syracuse University College of Law, graduated in 1968, and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1969. In 1966, while in law school, Biden married his first wife Neilia Hunter. They had three children together. In 1977, Biden married Jill Tracy Jacobs. They have one child.
He has strong issues against Arms Control and Domestic Violence. Sen. Biden's landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed into law in 1994 and has has provided over $3.8 billion dollars to combat domestic violence and sexual assault nationwide. He also has very strong views on the prevention of drug use and to assist users to break the habbit. Other issues he stands for are Amtrak, Crime, Defense, Education, Environment, Energy, Health Care, Homeland Security,The War in Iraq and many more issues...
I would vote this politition, as we share similar views on all he stands for. Also being a Democrat, is another good reason of why I would vote for him, as I prefer their policies compared to the Republicans.
Biden, one of four children was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He and his family then moved to Delaware when he was 10. He later went on to graduate from Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware and, in 1965, from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. He then attended Syracuse University College of Law, graduated in 1968, and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1969. In 1966, while in law school, Biden married his first wife Neilia Hunter. They had three children together. In 1977, Biden married Jill Tracy Jacobs. They have one child.
He has strong issues against Arms Control and Domestic Violence. Sen. Biden's landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed into law in 1994 and has has provided over $3.8 billion dollars to combat domestic violence and sexual assault nationwide. He also has very strong views on the prevention of drug use and to assist users to break the habbit. Other issues he stands for are Amtrak, Crime, Defense, Education, Environment, Energy, Health Care, Homeland Security,The War in Iraq and many more issues...
I would vote this politition, as we share similar views on all he stands for. Also being a Democrat, is another good reason of why I would vote for him, as I prefer their policies compared to the Republicans.
Week 9-America in Red and Blue
For this week’s blog, I have chosen to look at Hillary Clinton. I choose her as I thought she would be the most interesting, having already been first lady. I looked at her website, http://www.hillaryclinton.com/?splash=1. When you first enter the website, it asks you to sign up to “team Hillary”, but this step can be skipped. Once on the website, you can look at videos of Hillary Clinton and speeches she has given. She seems like a good candidate, with political beliefs such as equal rights for same sex relationships, equal rights for women, stem cell research, and a belief in scientific advancements, policies which are completely opposite to George Bush’s.
I also looked at http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/hc42.html, and found out a bit about her background. She was elected New York state senator on 7th November 200, and is the first First Lady elected to the US Senate and the first woman elected statewide in New York.
I also found an article on the Times online, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1719879.ece, which is less favourable to Hillary Clinton, and highlights some of the scandals she has been involved in the past, with reference to her autobiography.
I would vote for Hillary Clinton, as the policies and political beliefs I found she supported are ones which I believe in.
I also looked at http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/hc42.html, and found out a bit about her background. She was elected New York state senator on 7th November 200, and is the first First Lady elected to the US Senate and the first woman elected statewide in New York.
I also found an article on the Times online, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1719879.ece, which is less favourable to Hillary Clinton, and highlights some of the scandals she has been involved in the past, with reference to her autobiography.
I would vote for Hillary Clinton, as the policies and political beliefs I found she supported are ones which I believe in.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)